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Digitized by the Internet Archive 
in 2010 with funding from 
The Library of Congress 



http://www.archive.org/details/historydirectoryOOstep 



HISTORY AND DIRECTORY 



OF 



NEWTON AND RANSOM TOWNSHIPS, 



LACKAWANNA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 



Including a History of the Wyoming Valley, and a 
Brief History of Pennsylvania and Lackawanna 
County. A Js. Also many Biographical Sketches. 



COMPILED BY 

J. B. STEPHENS 



PROFUSELY ILLUSTRATED 



1754-1912 



MONTROSK, PA. 

J. B. STEPHENS, Pubwsher, 
1912 






Copyright, 1912, by ,1. B. Stephens 



©CI,A328474 



IjNTRODUCTION 



One custom of the Indians is worthy of 
perpetuation by all civilized people. Each tribe, 
through their chiefs and aged Kaehenis, care- 
fully related to the children all the history and 
achievements of their deceased ancestors. Every 
brave and warrior knew that his deeds of skill, 
endurance and \-alor would be carefully relat- 
ed to his children aiid descendants as long as 
the tribe existed. The custom fostered a spirit 
of patriotism and loyalty which has been the 
marvel of civilized man. 

The printed page now takes the place of tra- 
dition and camp fire lore of tribal geneology. 
This book is designed to present in accurate de- 
tail and connected order the story of the fami- 
lies and citizens of these townships from pioneer 
days to the present time. The hardships, self- 
denials, ideals, ambitions and achievements of 
these people are worthy of the pages of a book 
to be owned and frequently perused by their 
descendants. 

Surely and rapidly the sons and daughters of 
the great and brave pioneers, who entered the 
wilderness and cleared the unbroken forest, are 
passing to their graves. Only a few remain 
who can relate the incidents of the early days 
of settlement, so that an actual necessity exis.ts 
for the collection and preservation of events 
without delay, before all the early settlers are 
called to their reAA'ard. 

In gathering the material for this book in- 
formatii.in has been sought from every available 
source. Many of the facts herein recorded have 
been saved from oblivion by being rescued 
from the memories of those avIio will soon pass 
ema,y. Several old histories, with pages yelloAv 
with age, have been consulted. These have 
long been out of print and only a few copies can 
now be found, Avhich are carefully preserved in 
the reference rooms of the libraries in the differ- 
ent cities of this locality. 

OAving to the failing memory of some, and 
the fact that others Avere but partially informed 
on matters I Avished to record, their" statements 
Avere often contradictory. lu such cases a third 
version, and sometimes a fourth, Avere needed 
to furnish a. solution, and, AA'hen this was not 
obtainable, the disputed points have been omit- 
ted. I have been very careful to publish no 
statement that Avas not founded on facts and 
came from a reliable source, and believe that 
the common saying, "history abounds Avith 
false facts," Avill not prove true in this case. 

First of all, the compiler and publisher de- 



sires to acknoAvledge his appreciation to all Avho 
have aided financially by subscribing to this 
work and placing generous orders for space 
and cuts several months in advance of publica- 
tion, thus making it a grand success. Also to 
acknowledge the kindness and courtesy Avith 
Avhich his efforts to obtain the information re- 
corded herein have been almost unanimously 
met. Every home in each toAvnship has been 
visited for information, Avhich in nearly every 
instance, was cheerfully given. 

I desire to acknoAvledge Avith thanks my in- 
debtedness to James F. Day, editor of the 
Wyoming Democrat, published at Tunkhan- 
nock, and other publishers for free access to 
the files of their papers; to Rev. Horace E. 
Hayden, Librarian and Corresponding Secre- 
tary of the Wyoming Historcal Society, Wilkes- 
Barre, for the use of several cuts of the early 
forts and historical places and buildings of 
Wyoming ^'alley, and for much useful knoAvl- 
edge and data furnished from the large and 
valuable store of histoi'ical matter that has been 
collected by the Society; to Edson W. Saf- 
ford, Esq., of Montrose, for the article, "Upper 
Susquehanna Valley;'' to the Prothonotary and 
Recorder of both, Luzerne and LackaAvanna 
counties, for assistance in examining their 
records. 

.\mong other persons visited and to Avhom I 
am indebted for information are D. W. Rich- 
ards for articles furnished and valuable infor- 
mation pertaining to the early church history 
of NcAvton; to P. K. Richards of West Pittston, 
for the article, "Mihvaukie Sixty Years Ago ;" 
to L. B. Ayers, Mrs. Elizabeth Roloson, A. S. 
Collum, George W. Beemer, Adam Thompson, 
Alvy Krouse and many others for valuable in- 
formation pertaining to the early settlement of 
the tAvo toAvnships. 

More than Iavo years have been spent compil- 
ing and publishing this work. The publisher 
has not spared any effort to make the book 
worthy of the people. Able and experienced 
Avriters and historians have contributed to the 
Avork. 

The labor of Avriting and compiling this 
volume has been greater than I expected, but of 
this ,T have no regret, believing the people of 
these toAvnships Avill appreciate the effort. 

The Avork is much larger and better than first 
l)lanned, but this I know Avill meet the approval 
of a generous and progressiA'C. community. 

J. B. STEPHENS. 



INDEX 



Note — ChaiJter headings printed 
in lidldlace tyiK'. 

Address, Rev. James May's. . . 5 4 

Agreement, Capitulation .5 2 

Animals, Wild 37 

Ark, Susquehanna River 61 

Asserughney, Indian Village of IS 

Battle Begins 51 

Block-house, Stewart's 45 

Bloodshed, The First 26 

IJi'ief History of Pennsylvania 9 

Burying the Slain 53 

Business, How Conducted.... 3 6 
Butler and His Indians Leave 

the Valley 53 

Campaign, Sullivan's 23 

Canal, North Branch 61 

Capitol, The State 11 

Capitulation Agreement 52 

Capouse Meadows 18 

Captain Ogden's Bold Escape. 27 

Capt. Ogden Returns to Valley 27 

Chapman's Grist-mill 59 

Character, Indian's True 18 

Chevalier De la Luzerne 6 4 

Children Gathered to Places 

of Safety 48 

Cheap Fuel 7 3 

Cheap Land 72 

Church Privileges 7 4 

Ci>'il Government 2 8 

Climate 73 

Clothing, The Pioneer's 34 

Commercial Orcharding 72 

Constitution of Pennsylvania. . 10 

Court-house, Luzerne County 65 

Crops 7 3 

Crops Yielded Abundantly. ... 36 

Dairying 72 

Defenders, First of the Union 13 

Delaware Company 2 4 

Delaware Indians 17, 18 

Dreadful Hour 51 

Durkee, Fort 38 

Early History of Pennsylvania 9 

l<]ai'Iy TniiJi'ovenients in Wy- 
oming' 58 

Marly Settles along Susque- 
hanna 69 

Educational and Social Ad- 
vantages 73 

Elm, The Famous 10 

Factories, Pioneer 36 

Facts, Historical 15 

Famous Elm 10 

Farming, Pioneer 35 

Fell, .Jesse 63 

Finding and Opening Grave 

After Fifty Years 5 3 

First Bloodshed 26 

First Civil Government 28 

First Defenders of the Union. . 13 
First Houses Built in Wyoming 2 
First Massacre of Whites in 

Wyoming 21 

First Mills in Wyoming 58 



First Newspaper in Wyoming .62 

First Pennamite War 2 9 

First Settlers in Pennsylvania 9 

First Settlement in Wyoming. 2 4 

Food, How Pioneers Prepared 3 5 

Fort Durkee 38 

Forty Fort 42 

.Jenkins' 43 

Mill Creek 39 

Pittston 44 

Wilkes-Barre 40 

Wintermoot's 41 

Wyoming 39 

Fort, Indians Plunder the.... 5 2 

Forts, Number Occupying the 4 6 

Forty Fort 4 2 

Forty Pioneers 2 5 

Frances Slocum 2 2 

Friday, July 3, 1778 48 

Friends, Society of 12 

Frontier Forts 37 

Fruit Culture 71 

Furniture, The Pioneer's .... 34 

Gardners of Gardner's Ferry. . 69 

Gardner, John 69, 70 

Glimpse of an Indian Village. . 20 

Good Grazing Land 71 

Government, The First Civil. . 2 8 

Governors of Pennsylvania... . 14 

Grasshopper War 21 

Grave, Finding and Opening 

After Fifty Years 5 3 

Grist-mill, The Chapman 59 

Grist-mill, Sutton's 60 

Historical Facts 15 

Hominy Block or Corn Pounder 58 

How the Pioneers Came 31 

How Business Was Conducted 3 6 

Improvements Made Later. ... 33 
Indians, Delaware . .17, 18, 20, 21 

Five Nations 17 

Lenni Lenape 17 

Mohican 18 

Monsey 18, 74 

Nanticoke 17, 18 

Shawanese 17, 21 

Six Nations 17 

Wanamese 18 

Indian Amusements 19 

Indians Have no Schools 19 

Indian History of Wyoming. . 17 

Indians' Mode of Life 19 

Indian Occupations 19 

Indians Plunder the Fort 52 

Indian and Tory Hostilities. . . 47 

Indian Troubles 2 5 

Indians' True Character 18 

Indian Village, Glimpse of an. 20 

Jenkins' Fort 43 

Jesse Fell 63 

John Sergeant 21 

Lancaster Turnpike 13 

Lehigh Valley Railroad 62 

Log Cabin, The Pioneer's 34 

Luzerne, Chevalier De la 64 

Luzerne County 6 4 

Luzerne County Court-houses 65 



Map of Wyoming Valley 8 

Massacre, First Indian 21 

Massacre, The Wyoming 4 6 

Matches 7 

Maughwauwame 2 

Meeting of July 3, 1832 54 

Mill Creek Fort 3 9 

Mills, First in Wyoming 5 8 

Mohican Indians 18 

Monsey Indians 18,7 4 

Monument, The Wyoming. . . . 5 5 
Moravian Missionaries ... .17, IS 

Names of Those Slain in Wy- 
oming Massacre 57 

Nanticoke Indians 17,18 

Newspaper, First in Wyoming 02 

North Branch Canal 61 

Number Occupying the Forts 4 

Ogden's Bold Escape 2 7 

Ogden Returns to Valley 2 7 

Outfit, Pioneer's Rude 3 2 

Peace Restored 30 

Pennamites Fired Upon 28 

Pennamites Surprised 2 7 

Pennamite War, The First. . . 29 

Pennamite War, The Second. 2 9 

Penn, William 11 

Penn's Arrival 10 

Penn's Charter 9 

Penn's father and mother. ... 12 

Penn's Treaty 10 

Pennsylvania, Early History of 9 

Pennsylvania, First Settlers in 9 

Pennsylvanians Expelled .... 26 

Philadelphia 12 

Pioneer's Clothing 34 

Pioneers' Crops Yielded 

Abundantly 36 

Pioneer Factories 36 

Pioneer Farming 35 

Pioneer's Furniture 34 

Pioneers, How Prepared Food 35 

Pioneer's Log Cabin 34 

Pioneer's Rude Outfit 32 

Pioneers Return to Connecti- 
cut for Winter 32 

Pioneer Settlers 31 

Pioneer's Ways of Living. ... 33 

Pittston Port 44 

Population of Pennsylvania 

Since 1790 14 

Portion of Remarks Made by 

Rev. Murray 5 5 

Postal Sei-vice, United States. . 15 
Postoffice and Mail Facilities 

in Wyoming 6 

Preparing For Battle 51 

Proprietary Government Ends 29 

Prosperity of the Pioneers. . . 33 

Quakers or Friends 12 

Queen Esther's Rock 53 

Railroad, Lehigh Valley 62 

Redoubt, The 45 

Rev. James May's Address... 54 
Rev. Nicholas Murray's Re- 
marks 55 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



Rock, Queen Esther's 53 

Rural Free Delivery 15 

Scenery and History of Wy- 
oming 6 7 

Settlers, The Pioneer 31 

Shawanese Indians 17 

Slain in Wyoming Massacre. . 57 

Social Advantages 73 

Society of Friends 12 

Soil Fertility 73 

State Capitol 11 

Stewart's Block-house 45 

Sulky Plow 72 

Sullivan's Campaign 23 

Susquehanna Company 24 

Susquehanna, Settlers Along. . 69 

Susquehanna River Ark 61 

Survivors of Wyoming Massa- 
cre 57 

Sutton's Mill 60 

Teedyuscung 18 

Treaty Elm ' 10 

Turnpike, The Lancaster. ... 13 



United States Postal Service. 
Upper Susquehanna Valley. . 



15 
70 



Wanamese Indians 18 

War, The Grasshopper 21 

War, The First Pennamite... 29 

War, The Second Pennamite. . 29 

Wild Animals 37 

Wilkes-Barre 64 

Wilkes-Barre Fort 40 

William Penn 11 

Wintermoot's Fort 41 

Women Gathered to Places of 

Safety 48 

Wyomng Fort 39 

Wyoming Slassacre 46 

Wyoming Massacre, Slain in . . 5 7 
Wyoming Massacre, Survivors 

of 57 

Wycniing Monument 55 

Wyoming Valley 23 

Yankees Again Imprisoned. . . 27 
Yankees Forced to Return to 

Connecticut 2 6 

Yankees Imprisoned 25, 27 

Zinzendorf 17, IS 



ijackawanna County, A Brief 

History of 74 

First Settlement 74 

Monsey Indians 74 

Pioneer's Experience, A. . . . 7 5 
Pioneer Industries of the 

County . 75 

Population of Lackawanna 
County by Townships 
and Boroughs Since 1890 8 
Value of Agricultural Pro- 
perty 8 

Urief History of Each Town- 
ship 75 

Benton Township 75 

Carbondale Township 7 6 

Clifton Township 76 

Covington Township 7 6 

Fell Township 7fi 

Greenfield Township 7 6 



Jefferson Township 7 6 

Lackawanna Township .... 77 

Lehigh Township 77 

Madison Township 7 7 

Newton Township 7 7 

North Abington Township. . 7 7 

Roaring Brook Township.. 7 8 

Scott Township 78 

South Abingtou Township. . 7 8 
Spring Brook Township ... 78 
West Abington Township.. 7 8 
Townships Which Have Be- 
come Extinct 78 

Blakely Township 79 

Old Forge Township 7 9 

Providence Township 7 8 



NEWTON TOWNSHIP 

Newton Township, History of 81 

Academy, Newton Hall. ... 88 

Bald Mount 101 

Bald Mount Lodge No. 731, 

I. O. of G. T 94 

Blacksmith Shops 8 8 

Cemeteries in Newton 164 

Change of Style 164 

Church, Bald Mount M. E. . 90 
Church, Newton Baptist. . . 91 
Church, Presbyterian. . .91, 228 
Church, Schultzville M. E. . . 95 
Cloud Burst and Flood of 

1909 99 

Deputy U. S. Marshal Shot 100 
Early History of Newton. . . 81 
Extracts From Old Minute 

Book 97 

Early Settlers of Newton. . 8 6 

Farming and Dairying 103 

First Sunday School 8 7 

Good People 104 

Hillside Home 102 

Homes and People of New- 
ton 104 

Indian Gold Spring 102 

Keystone Tannery 95 

Lake View Poor Farm 100 

McClusky Apple 85 

• Mail Routes, Newton and 

Ransom lOl 

Nathaniel and Peter Rich- 
ards 85 

Newton Centre 89 

Officers of Newton 228 

Oldest Inhabitants of New- 
ton 103 

Old Houses of Newton 228 

Physicians of Newton 94 

Pioneer Saw-mill 88 

Pioneer School— house .... 88 

Pioneer Store 88 

Population of Newton Since 

1850 101 

PostofRces, Newton and 

Ransom 101 

P. O. S. of A. Camp No. 52 8 93 
Reminiscences of an Old 

Teacher 98 

Richard Gardner, the Pion- 
eer Settler 81 

Saw-mills 88 

School, Cosner 96 

School, Fire Proof 96 

School, Lacoe 96 

School, Newton 89 



School, Port Royal 96 

School, Schultzville 95 

School, Shook 97 

Schultzville 94 

Scranton and Newton Turn- 
pike Company 99, 247* 

Seventy-fifth Anniversary 
of Presbyterian Church.. 9 2 

State Militia 89 

Subsequent Settlers 82 

Villages, Churches and 

Schools of Newton 8 9 

Map of Newton Townsihp .... 1 65 
Directory of Newton Township 229 



RANSOM TOWNSHIP 

Ransom Township, History of 167 

Agriculture igg 

Benny Gardner, the Pioneer 

Grocer igy 

Blacksmith Shop 170 

Blacksmith Shops, Milwau- 
kee 173 

Boundaries and Surface. . . .168 
Burning of the Schmidt 

Residence 179 

Cemeteries in Ransom 164 

Church, Lutheran 170 

Church, Milwaukie M. E...174 
Church, Mountain Valley 

Evangelical 177 

Church, Ransom Evangel.. .170 
Early History of Ransom.. 167 

Foundry, Milwaukie 173 

Homes and People of Ran- 
som 179 

Hotel, Mountain Valley. . . .176 
I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 267. .175 
.lohn Gardner, The Pioneer 

Settler 167, 69 

Live Stock and Dairying. . .169 

Mail Routes, Ransom 101 

Milwaukie 172 

Milwaukie Sixty Years Ago 175 

Mountain Valley 176 

Mountain Valley Hotel 176 

Mountain Valley Postoffice.176 

Mount Dewey 177 

Pioneer Mills at Milwaukie 173 

Pioneer Taverns 168 

Officers of RansomTownship 228 

Old Houses of Ransom 228 

Oldest Inhabitants of Ran- 
som . 169 

Population of Ransom 101 

Postoffices, Ransom 101 

Ransom Coal Storage Plant 172 

Ransom Home 171 

Ransom Valley Turnpike Co 168 

Ransom Village 169 

River and Creeks 168 

Saw-mill 170 

School, Milwaukie 175 

School, Mountain Valley... 177 

School, Mount Dewey 178 

School, Ransom 171 

School, Ransom Valley . . . .171 

Stores, The Early 169 

Sunday School, Milwaukie. .175 
Villages, Churches and 

Schools 169 

West Mountain Sanatorium . 1 78 

Map of Ransom Townshi 165 

■ Dii'octoi'y ot RansomTownship 238 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



biographicaij sketches 

Note — ^All titles to sketches indi- 
cated by boldface, and subhead- 
ings by lightface type. An aster- 
isle (*) preceding a name indicates 
that same is neither a title nor a 
subheading, but is mentioned in 
some article on page indicated. 

Ace, Edward E 179 

Ace, George AV 180 

Ace, George 181 

Ace, Jacob ISO 

Ace, Moses 179 

Alger, Abner 122 

Alger, Perserved 123 

Annemans, John 199 

Avery, Solomon 161 

Ayers, Jacob 106 

Ayers, Lewis B 104 

Ayers, Peter 105 

Ayers, William D 106 

Bardwell, Miss Vivian 109 

Baumgardner, John 167 

Bedell, Abram H 181 

Bedell, David H 181 

Bedell, Peter 164 

Beemer, 
Beemer, 
Beemer, 
Beemer, 
Behlke, 
Bellike, 
Beyrent 



Coon, 

Coon. 

Coon, 

Coon, 

Coon. 

Coon, 

Cooper, 

Cooper 



116 

N 117 

Judson C 117 

Peleg 167 

Zebulon S3 

Zebulon, Jr 117 

Jolmson B 190 

Nelson 190 

llverett Grant 118 

Frank H 187 

George C 1S8 

George Ijevi 117 

John 118 

Joseph 83 

Levi 118 

Friend HoUister ... .118 
John 119 



CoUum, William 
C^onistock, Giles 
Conistock, 

Comstock, 
Comstock, 
Comstock, 
Ooolbangh 
Coolbaugh 
Coon, 



Elias 106 

George W 106 

Henry 82 

Jesse and Adam. ... 83 

Frederick 182 

Theodore G 181 

John 183 

Biesecker, Charles H 113 

Biesecker Family 110 

Biesecker, George W 110 



118 

189 

189 

189 

193 

William 193 

David '120 

Lewis 119 

Lewis 83 

S. Howard 130 

Seldon Scranton 119 

Benjamin 180 

Harry A 193 



Cornell, Charles F. 
Corselins, Harry . . 

Corselius, Peter, Jr 

Corselins, Peter Sr. 

Coslett, Lewis W. 

Coslett, 

Cosner, 

Cosner, 

Cosner, 

Cosner, 

Cosner, 

Courtright 

Courtriglit 



Biesecker, Jacob 110 

Biesecker, Jacob H 110 

Biesecker, John 110 

Biesecker, William J 113 

Blackwell, Charles W 185 

Blackwell, Elmer W 187 

Blackwell, John JVI 186 

Blackwell, Mathias 121, 186 

Blackwell, William 209 

Blewitt, William 132 

Bowen, William 187 

Bowman, Francis Edward .... 109 

Bowman, George 110 

Bowman Gershom 110 

Brezee, Joseph 179 

Brink, William 83 

Britton, Oscar 113 

Butterfleld, Benjamin 113 

Buttertleld, Benjamin S 113 

Butterfleld, Charles 113 

Butterfleld, Charles 113 

Butterfleld, Charles, Jr 113 

Butterfleld Family 113 

Butterfleld, John S 114 

Butterfields in War, The 114 

Cahoon, Judson J 114 

Canterbury, George W 189 

Canterbury, William F 188 

Carpenter, Porter 115 

Carpenter, William L 114 

Chambers, James 214 

Clark, John 191 

Collum, Andrew S 115 

CoUum, Henry R 116 

Collum, Horace 8 3 

Collum, Jesse 116 



Courtright, Horace 191 

Courtright, Oliver 201 

Courtright, Mrs. Phebe 193 

Davies, Albert R 195 

Davies, George 195 

Davies, George Henry 19 5 

Davis, Ira E 194 

Davis, John P 193 

Davis, Robert D 19 4 

Decker, Charles V 131 



Hice, John 125 

Mice, William A 135 

Hoffman, John 199 

HoUenhack, Arthur R 136 

Holmes, John G 136 

Holmes, Lewis 127 

Hopkins, Mrs. Ruth M 128 

Hopkins, Solomon 12S 

Hough. Thomas 146 

Huthmaker, David M 201 

Huthmaker, Jacob 200 

Huthmaker, Roy H 301 

Huthmaker, Thomas J 300 

Ives, Francis Marion 301 

Ives, William L 202 

Jacoby, Arthur 137 

Jacoby, Benjamin 138 

Jacoby, Jacob 84,128 

*Kern, Charles C 144 

Kern, Edward A 138 

Kern, Henry 12S 

Kern, Jacob 131 

Kircher, Edward 131 

Kircher, Joseph N 131 

Kline, Peter 182 

Knapp, Truman 112 

Kuapp, Zephaniah 112 

Krauss, Michael G 303 

Kresge, Charles H 133 

Krege, David 131 

Ki'esge, Thomas M 131 

Krouse, Alvy 203 

Krouse, Joseph 204 



Drake, Benjamin 105 

Drake, Elizabeth 106 

Drake, Ira 131 

Drake, Jacob L 121 

Drake, Timothy 84 

Dunlap, Edgar B 123 

Duulap, A. Perriugton 122 

Engleman, Louis 195 

Engleman, John 196 

Pern, Mrs. Catherine 19 S 

Pinkler, Michael 185 

Pinkler, Peter 182 

Pulkerson, Mortimer 162 



Gardner, Benny 167 

Gardner, Elias A 196 

Gardner, George 196 

(Jardner, James S 196 

Gardner, John 69, 167 

Gardner, Richard 81 

Gardner, Samuel 197 

Garrison, Eder 123 

Garrison, Lewis D 133 

(Jai'rison, William 134 

<Jaul, William 197 

Gaul, William, Sr 198 

Gilbert, William 1S9 

Green, Capt. John 159 

*Green, John Sims 159 

Grose, Charles 207 



Lacoe, Anthony 84,135 

Lacoe, Charles E 13.5 

Lacoe, Clarence D 304 

Lacoe, James M 304 

Lacoe, John Francis 133 

Lacoe, Joseph Allen 13i5 

Lacoe, William Anthony . .135, 204 

Landsiedel, Henry 2 05 

Landsiedel, Lewis A 305 

*LaRue, Mrs. Abigail 136 

LaRue, Daniel W 136 

LaRue, Joseph 136 

*LaRue, William 123 

LaRue, Willie E 135 

Lasher, Arnold 137 

Lasher, Samuel 136 

Lesh, Jacob C 84 

Lewis, Thomas H 305 

Litts Henry 84 

Lutz, Mr 84 



Harlos, 

Harlos, 



Philip 134 

Philip, Sr 125 



Herman, John 216 



Maas, Conrad 167 

Maas, Conrad, Jr 2 05 

Maas, John P 207 

Maas, John 207, 219 

Mayer, Charles 206 

Mayer, Mrs. Maria 206 

McCabe, James 307 

McCabe, James, Sr 208 

McClusky. Charles S5 

McClusky, Timothy S5 

McDonald, Thomas 163 

McMillan, John 167 

McNay, Mrs. Catherine 163 

Metzg'ar, Barnett D 209 

Metzgar, Mrs. Elizabeth 137 

Metzgar, Peter S 309 

Michaels, Dennis 137 

Michaels, John 192,137 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



Miller, Adam B 210 

Miller, Edwin S 209 

Morton, Samuel A 127 

Muiison, Joseph B 210 

Miisselman, Charles 210 

Newman, Charles H 138 

Newiiiaii, John C 138 

Newman, ]>r. William H 138 

Nett, Andrew 167 

Petty Family 211 

Petty, Milton Wagner 212 

Petty, Oswald Ward 213 

Petty, Peter 211 

Petty, William C 212 

Powell, Lewis E 312 

Powell, Watkin J 213 

Kader, George W 214 

Rader, John 167 

Reed, B. P 112 

Keed, James 139 

Resler, Charles 167 

Richards, Daniel W 140 

Kiohards, Elmer B 139 

Richards, .Jacob B 139 

Uiohards, Jeptha C 31.5 

Richards, Lieslie Fi-ank 215 

Richards, Nathaniel 85 

Richards, Ostrander 216 

Richards, Peter 8 5 

Richards, Peter K 215 

Richter, Charles F 216 

Richter, Frederick 216 

Rifenbary, Benjamin P 146 

Rilenbary, George H 316 

Rodney, BaiTonet 82 

Itoloson, Mrs. Elizabeth 140 

*Roloson, Johnson 140, 142 

Roseiikrans, Amos 144 

Rosenkrans, Amzi 143 

Rosenkrans, Brittian 143 

Rosenkrans, Johnson 217 

Rosenkrans, Laten 144 

Rosenkrans, Levi 143, 144 



Ross, John Wesley 144 

Roth, Thad 144 

Rozelle, Amzi 147 

Rozelle, Giles B 145 

Rozelle, Israel 145 

Rozelle, Joshua 145 

Rozelle, Lewis R 146 

Ruger, Robert E 147 

*Ruger, Washington 147 

Sanies, Charley •. . .217 

Sandway, Fred 167 

Scheuer Brothers 218 

Schmidt, John 220 

Schmidt, Stephen 319 

Schultheis, Anthony 218 

Schultheis. Conrad 219 

Sa.ve, Mrs. Elizabeth 147 

Seese, William S 148 

Shellenberger. Philip 167 

Shook, David 148 

Shook, John 148 

Shotwell, William 114 

Singer, Bert W 220 

Slate, Adam 148 

Slate, Frank A 148 

Smith, Mrs. Catherine 220 

Smith, Curtis P 148 

Smith. Elias 8 5 

Smith, Elias A 148 

Smith, Elias J 151 

Smith, Marcus J 151 

Smith, Richard 223 

Smith, William H 151 

Smith, William N 151 

Snover, Edwin 152 

Snover, George S 152 

Stevens, Arthur C 152 

Stewart, Hiley Wenzel 221 

Stewart, Willard L . .221 

Swartwood, Martin 204 

Sweet, Jacob 195 

Sweet, William 152 

Sweet, William, Sr 152 

Stine, Abraham 222 

Stine, Abraham 222 



Stine, Charles A 222 

Stine Family 222 

Stine. Frederick 222 

Thonijjson, Adam 152 

Thompson, Adam 85, 157 

Thompson, Andrew 152 

Thompson. Andrew 157 

Thompson, Frank C 223 

Thompson, P. L 157 

Thompson, Isaac 162 

Taft, William J 323 

VanCampen, Anson Henry .... 158 

Vaughn, Benjamin R 159 

Vaughn, Horton B 158 

Vosburg. Joseph B 159 

Vosburg, Peter P 159 

Walter, Henry 160 

Walter, Hiram 224 

Walter, James B 223 

Walter, Samuel 160 

Ward, John Edward 160 

Ward, John J 160 

Ware, Jesse 160 

Weisenfluh. John 187 

White, James M 161 

Williams, Horace 161 

Williams, John C 22 5 

Wilson, Mrs. Catherine 224 

Winter, Merritt 162 

Winter, Peter C 162 

Winters, Bainbridge 225 

Winters, Daniel 161 

Winters, Manley 161 

Winters, Samuel J 225 

Witzal, Andrew 225 

Witzal, John 225 

Wolcott, Rev. Wallace C 163 

Wood, Mrs. Elnora 197 

Zeiss, Roy AV 336 

Zilk, Henry 227 

Zilk, John 228 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 




MAP OF WYOMING VALLEV IN THE EARLiY BAYS 



The above map shows the location of the first 
five original townships laid out in the Wyoming 
Valley in 176S by the Susquehanna Company 
(Wilkes-Barre or Wyoming, Hanover, Plymouth, 
Kings-town and Pittstown) and the position of the 
Ports, Indian villages, and other historical places 
of the early days and settlement of Wyoming. The 
Ports are indicated on the Map with figures, and 
the Indian villages, battle fields, islands, etc., are 
marked with letters as follows: 

(1), marks the site of Shawnee Fort, where a 
garrison composed of old men, with the women 
and children of the neighboi'hood were stationed 
before and during the Wyoming Massacre; (2), 
Stewart's Block-house; (3), Fort Durkee; (4), 
Fort Wyoming; (5), Wilkes-Barre Fort; (6), Og- 
den's Port, and later the site of Mill Creek Fort. 
The first settlement in Wyoming Valley was made 
here; (7), Forty Port; (8), Wintermoot's Fort, i'he 
Wyoming Massacre was near this spot; (9) 
.lenkins' Port; (10), Pittston Fort; (11), Fort 
Defense. '(A), Plunkett's Battle, Dec. 24, 1775; 



(li), Nauticoke Indian village; (C), Shawanese In- 
dian village; (D), Indian village of Maughwau- 
wame (Wyoming); (E), Mohican Indian village; 
(P), Wanamese Indian village (Jacob's Plains); 
(H), Delaware Indian village, Asserughney; (I), 
Fish Island; (K), Kingston; (L), Monocacy Island;. 
(M), Wyoming Monument; (N), Queen Esther's 
Rock; (O), Fuller's Island, the largest island in 
the Susquehanna in the Wyoming Valley. As early 
as 17S7 it contained about fifty acres. Later it 
was known as Richards' Island. (P), Monsey In- 
dian village; (R), Indian burying ground; (S), 
where John Gardner settled in 1769 in what is now 
Ransom township; (T), place where John Gardner 
was captured by Indians, July 1, 1778. 

The townships contained 16,000 acres each. The 
name Wilkes-Barre, in the early days was written 
with but one capital and without a hyphen. 

See "Indian History of Wyoming Valley," page 
17-18; "Frontier Forts," page 37-46, and "Wyom- 
ing Massacre," page 46-55. 



CHAPTER ONE 



A BRIEF HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA 



The First Settlers and Early History 

The first European settlement in Pennsylva- 
nia of which there is positive knowledge, was 
made by the Swedes in 1643, when Governor 
Printz, the third governor of New Sweden, set- 
tled on the Island of Tinicum, now Tinicum 
township, Delaware county, a few miles below 
Philadelphia, for a place of residence and de- 
fense. He called it New Gottenberg. Here the 
governor erected a handsome brick mansion, 
bringing the brick from Sweden. This build- 
ing stood for more than one hundred and fifty 
years, when it was destroyed by fire. 

The first marriage between Europeans in 
Pennsylvania was in 1644, when Governor 
Printz's daughter was married. 

The first church was built on Tinicum is- 
land, and was dedicated in 1646. 

The Swedes established the first court in the 
State at Upland, Delaware county, which furn- 
ished the first case of marriage disagreement in 
Pennsylvania in 1661 ; the first criminal was 
convicted and whipped in 1669 ; the first high- 
way laid out in 1677 ; the first guardian ap- 
pointed; the first lunatic committed and the 
first jury impaneled in 1678. 

The Swedes were a religious people. They 
are proudly remembered in Delaware, Philadel- 
phia, Bucks and Montgomery counties, as the 
first white men to cultivate the virgin soil. 

The firet permanent English settlement in 
Pennsylvania was made in Bucks county by 
Quakers in 1674, when Governor Andros, the 
Duke of York's deputy in America, made num- 
erous grants of land in the territory soon to be- 
come "Penn's Woods." 

Penn's Charter 

In 1680, William Penn petitioned King 
Charles II. for a grant of land in America. The 
king was willing at once to grant the request, 
because he could in this way pay the debt he 
owed Penn, which was 16,000 pounds due 
Penn's father as an oflricer in the British navy. 
Some of the king's counsellors objected, claim- 
ing that it would be ridiculous to send people 
to promote the interests of the British nation in 
a new colony, who would neither fight nor 
would have nothing to do with gin and gunpow- 



der in dealing with the Indians. 

Nevertheless on the 4th 'day of March, 1681, 
William Penn was granted a charter, making 
him proprietor and governor of the province of 
Pennsylvania. The following year he secured 
a grant from the Duke of York for the region 
forming the present State of Delaware. The 
two colonies were so joined till the Revolution 
of 1776. 

Penn's charter hangs in a frame in the State 
Library at Harrisburg. It consists of three 
sheets of parchment (sheep's skin prepared for 
writing upon). At the top of the first page is 
a picture of the king. The writing is all under- 
scored in red ink. 

Penn desired to have the new province named 
New Wales, but the king insisted on calling it 
Pennsylvania, in honor to Penn's father. Penn 
did not approve of the name, thinking the pre- 
fix Penn would appear like vanity on his part, 
instead of showing respect for his father. He 
next proposed the name Sylvania, but the- king 
would not compromise. 

Penn drew up a form of government and a 
code of laws, and sent his cousin, William Mark- 
ham, to take possession of the colony and act 
as deputy governor. The code of laws pre- 
pared by Penn was exalted in aim and compre- 
hensive in scope; yet with few exceptions, its 
details were marvelously practical, and if Penn 
had not the genius of the ruler, he had, as few 
have had, the genius of the legislator. 

Markham arrived in Delaware Bay about 
July 1, 1681. Later in the year, three ships 
sailed for Pennsylvania, two from London and 
one from Bristol. Several sessions of court were 
held at Upland while Markham had charge of 
the colony. The first entry was a case of as- 
sault and battery, and was dated September 13, 
1681. 

Markham was joined by three commissioners 
soon after his arrival, to form an alliance of 
peace with the Indians, and to consult with 
them about the sale of land. The first purchase 
was made July 15, 1682. This tract extended 
along the Delaware river as far north as the 
mouth of the Neshaminy (near Bristol, in 
Bucks county) , and eastward to the Blue moun- 
tains. For this vast tract the Indians received 
the following: 



10 



A BRIEF HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA 



"350 ffathoms of Wampum, 20 white Blaukits, 
2 ffathoms of Strawed waters, 6 ffathoms of Duf- 
fields, 2 Kettles, 4 whereof large, 2 giinns, 2 
Coates, 4 shirts, 40 iiayre of Stockings, 40 Howes, 
4 Axes, 2 Barrels of Powder, 2 00 Barres of Lead, 
200 Knives, 200 small Glasses, 12 Payres of Shoes, 
40 Copper Boxes, 4 Tobacco Tonngs, 2 small Bar- 
rels of Pipes, 40 pay re of Scissors, 4 Combs, 2 4 
pounds Red Lead, 100 Aules, 2 handfulls of ffisli- 
hooks, 2 handfuls of Needles, 40 pounds of Shott, 
10 Bundles of Beads, 10 small Saws, 12 Drawing 
Knives, 4 anchers of Tobacco, 2 anohers of Rumme, 
2 anchers of Syder, 2 anchors of Beere and 300 
Gilders." 

Markham received' a letter from Penn, for 
the Indians, which he read to them, as follows : 

"I have great love and regard for you, and de- 
sire to win and gain your love and friendship by 
a kind, just and peaceable life; and the people I 
send are of the same mind, and shall in all things 
behave themselves accordingly." 

Penn's Arrival 

Penn, after making every arrangement for 
his departure, bade his wife and children an 
affectionate good-bye. With about one hundred 
other passengers, mostly Quakers who had been 
his friends and neighbors in Sussex, England, 
he sailed September 1, 1682, on the ship Wel- 
come. About thirty died of small-pox, and 
were buried in the sea. Otherwise the voyage 
was uneventful. After six weeks they came in 
sight of land on the coast of New Jersey, near 
Egg Harbor. They landed at New Castle, Dela- 
ware, October 27. 

Two days later Penn went to Upland to call 
the first general assembly. Upland was the 
home of most of the immigrants from England 
who had preceded the Welcome. The Dutch 
and Swedes received him with great joy. Penn 
changed the name of Upland to Chester, in 
honor of his friend Pearson, a companion on 
the Welcome, who had lived in Chester, Eng- 
land. 

Penn's Treaty 

Early in November, Penn, with a few others, 
traveled from Chester, up the Delaware in an 
open boat. His motive was to publicly meet the 
Indians and confirm the Treaty, which Mark- 
ham and his associates had previously made. 
When he arrived at Shackamaxon, the Indians 
had already filled the woods as far as the eye 
could see. The chiefs arranged themselves in 
the form of a half-moon, and Penn addressed 
them with the following words: 

"We meet on the broad pathway of good faith 
and good will; no advantage shall be taken on 
either side, but all shall be openness and love. I 
will not call you children, tor parents chide their 
children too severely; nor brother only, for broth- 
ers differ. The friendship between me and you 
I will not compare to a chain; for that the rains 
might rust or the falling tree might break. We 



aie the same as if one man's body were to be di- 
vided into two parts; we are all one flesh and 
blood." 

''After receiving some prei-'cnts from Penn, 
the Indians gave the belt of Wampum and 
Mjlemnly pledged themselves to live iu love with 
him and his children as long as the sun and 
moon should endure." As Voltaire said, "This 
was the only treaty between these people and 
the Christians that was made without an oath, 
and that was never broken." 

The Famous Elm 

The Elm Tree under which the treaty was 
made became celebrated in after years. It stood 
until 1810, when a storm blew it down. It wa^ 
found to have been two hundred and eighty- 
three years old. In 1827, a large monument 
was erected upon its site, which is now sur- 
rounded by a beautiful park in Kensington. At 
one time during the Revolutionary War, the 
British were camping near this Elm Tree, which 
was much respected by General Simcoe. While 
his soldiers were cutting down trees for fire- 
wood, he placed a guard beneath its spreading 
branches to protect it from their blows. 

Penn had several conferences with the In- 
dians, and for many years afterward he Avas 
kindly remembered by them. Not a drop of 
Quaker blood was shed by them while he lived. 

Penn, by the industry and high character of 
the Society of Friends, by cultivating peace with 
the Indians, and encouraging immigration, 
founded a fiourishing State, which long before 
the Revolution became the seat of learning, 
wealth and refinement. 

The Constitution 

The first constitution of Pennsylvania was 
framed in 1776. Eight representatives were ap- 
pointed from each county, who met for the first 
time July 15, and chose Benjamin Franklin 
president, and George Ross vice-president. Af- 
ter a session of over two months, a constitution 
was completed September 28. It went into 
effect at once, without being submitted to the 
people for ratification. 

Under the first constitution the members of 
the General Assembly were elected annually, 
and consisted of only one house. The laws en- 
acted were called the Acts of AssemVjly, the 
same as our present laws. The poi^ulation of 
Pennsylvania was about 300,000 at that time. 

The first constitution of Pennsylvania was not 
changed till 1790, when an upper house was 
created, and the Assembly deprived of the sole 
right to make laws. The veto 250wer was given 
to the Governor. 

The constituliou was again changed in 1838. 
Under the constitution of 1790 the colored man 



A BRIEF HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA 



11 



could vote, but the constitution as amended in 
1838 deprived hini of this i^rivilege. Only 
white freemen having paid a state or county tax 
were entitled to the right of suffrage. Governors 
were allowed but two terms of three years each 
in any nine years. 

The constitution of Pennsylvania was revised 
the third time in 1873, when the number of 
senators and representatives were increased. The 
judges and certain other officers were to be 
elected by the people instead of being appointed 
by the Governor. The office of Lieutenant- 
Governor was created, and biennial sessions of 
the Legislature. The right of suffrage was re- 
stored to the colored man. 

The State Capitol 

The State Capitol was first located in Phila- 
delphia. It was moved to Lancaster the first 
Monday of November, 1799. It was moved to 
Harrisburg (Harris' Ferry) in 1812. John Har- 
ris gave four acres and William McClay appro- 
priated ten acres, in addition, for the govern- 
ment buildings. The corner-stone of the capitol 
was laid May 31, 1819. The building was com- 
pleted in 1821, and first occupied January 3, 
1822. Before the new building was completed 
the sessions of the Legislature were held in the 
old Dauphin county court house. The capitol 
was destroyed by fire on Tuesday afternoon, 
February 2, 1897. Many valuable books and 
records were destroyed. 

A new Capitol building was authorized to be 
erected at a cost not to exceed $550,000. The 
comer-stone was laid on the 10th of August. 
1898. The building was occupied by the Legis- 
lature January 3, 1899. 

After the fire, the Legislature held its sessions 
in the Grace M. E. Church, of Harrisburg. 

William Penn, 

founder of the State of Pennsylvania, born in 
London, October 13, 1644. He received a good 
education, which was completed at Christ 
Church, Oxford. He disappointed his father's 
(Sir Williain Penn) exjDectations by turning 
Quaker, and was discarded by him. Sir William 
afterward relented, and sent his son abroad. 
Young Penn visited France and Italy, returning 
to his native country in 1664. 

He spent two years in the study of law at 
Lincoln's Inn, and was then sent to Ireland to 
manage his father's estate; but, happening to 
hear a discourse at Cork, by Thomas Loe, a 
leading Quaker, he reverted to his former opin- 
ions, and traveled to propagate his new faith. 
He was arrested for preaching, and sent to 
prison ; but was released through the interest of 
his father. After his return to England, he 
was sent to the Tower, on accoimt of a book 



which he had written ; and while there he com- 
posed hia principal work entitled "No Cross, No 
Crown," intended to show the benefit of suffer- 
ing. On his release, he resumed his former 
labors, and was apprehended, with some others, 
and tried for preaching at a conventicle in 
Gracechurch Street. Penn himself, had been 
tried for preaching to "an unlawful, seditious 
and riotous assembly." The first verdict was, 
"Guilty of speaking in Gracechurch Street." 
This verdict was brought in repeatedly, in spite 
of threats from the .judge that he would starve 
the jury if they did not say "Guilty," or "Not 
Guilty." Finally the verdict of "Not Guilty" 
was rendered, whereupon the judge fiired each 
of the jurors forty marks (about $129.60) and 
imprisonment till paid, because they had fol- 
lowed their own judgment rather than the good 
advice given them by him. Penn also was 
fined for having his hat on in the presence of 
the court. 

Admiral Penn was reconciled to his son be- 
fore his death, and left him all his property. 
Penn continued firn:i in his attachment to the 
Society of Friends, and, in 1677, went on a 
mission to Holland and Germany, with Fox 
and Barclay. 

Penn had three motives for planting a colony 
in the New World, namely: "First, he would 
get payment for the debt of 16,000 pounds 
(nearly $80,000) due his father as an oilicer 
of the British navy; secondly, he would find a 
l^lace for his brethren, the Quakers, or Fiicnds, 
where they would not be openly insulted in ihe 
streets, dragged from their meeting-houses to 
loathsome jails, and robbed of the last bed or 
cow to pay the fines for not attending the 
established church ; and thirdly, he would satis- 
fy the desire which the glow^ing account of the 
brethren in West Jersey had created in him. 
The second of these motives was by fai- the 
strongest." 

Penn and his people enjoyed neither reli- 
gious nor civil liberty in England. "In Europe, 
church and state, as a rule, are not separate. In 
most countries, a certain church, called the 
established church, or state church, is a part of 
the government." 

Durmg the reign of James II. Penn was fre- 
quently at the king's palace, yet for no selfish 
reasons. James II. had always been his fa- 
ther's friend, and he had always been glad and 
prompt to help Penn himself. Penn, therefore, 
entered the palace that he might aid the king 
and give him wise counsels. 

The overthrow of James was in more than 
one respect a misfortune for Penn. In the 
spring of 1690 he was arrested on the_ charge of 
holding treasonable correspondence with the de- 
throned monarch. The absurdity of the charge 



12 



A BEIEF HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA 



being absolutely evident, Penn was set at li- 
berty. Yet, though his conduct continued to 
be blameless, he was, by an order in council, 
stripped, March 14, 1692, of his title to the 
Pennsylvania government, which was restored 
two years later. 

In 1701 he returned to England, and being 
encumbered with debts, endeavored to negotiate 
the sale of Pennsylvania to the crown for $60,- 
000. This negotiation was interrupted in 1712, 
through his being attacked by an apopletic 
fit, which, happening twice afterward within a 
year, greatly impaired his mental faculties. He 
lived six years longer, but with a constitution 
much shattered and quite unfitted for any ser- 
ious employment. Penn died July 29, 1718. 
He was buried in the village of Jordan, Buck- 
inghamshire, near London. 

Of Penn's mother very little is known, ex- 
cept that she was a Dutch woman, the daughter 
of John Jasper, a merchant of Rotterdam. Her 
son has left no description of her. There is 
no portrait, no anecdotes or sayings, nothing 
that would reveal her character. Very likely 
she was a plain, ordinary person. Penn showed 
few if any Dutch traits. 

Penn's father. Sir William Penn, was an 
English admiral who greatly distinguished him- 
self against the Dutch in the 17th century. 
Born in Bristol in 1621, a son of John ; entered 
the navy at an early age, and was captain at 
the age of twenty-three. After the accession of 
King Charles II. to the throne in 1660, he was 
elevated to the rank of knight, and died in 
Essex in 1670. 

Society of Friends 

The organization, commonly called Quakers, 
was founded in the middle of the 17th century 
by George Fox. They are distinguished from 
other Christian bodies by the special stress they 
lay on the immediate teaching and guidance of 
the Holy Spirit, and their belief that no one 
should be paid or appointed by human author- 
ity for the exercise of the gift of the ministry. 
In obedience to this belief tliey hold their meet- 
ings without any prearranged service or sermon, 
and sometimes in total silence. The Friends be- 
lieve that the sacraments of Baptism and the 
Lord's Supper are to be taken spiritually, and 
not in an outward form. 

Their protests against the use of oaths and 
against the exaction of tithes and church rates 
caused them much suffering and frequent im- 
prisonment during the first fifty years of their 
existence. The simplified dress which Friends 
adopted from conviction over two hundred years 
ago became stereotyped into a uniform. This 
dress has generally been given up, as have the 
"testimony" against music and singing in its 



rigid application, and the peculiarities of speech, 
such as the use of "thee" and "thou" ir stead of 
"you" (though many of the Fren.ls retain this 
custom among themselves'), and the a oidance 
of all titles of courtesy. 

Of late years there has been a very decided 
evangelical movement among Friends, under 
the influence of which the quietism is dying 
out. As a result of this change the influence of 
the Society beyond its own borders, through 
home and foreign missions and Sunday Schools, 
has developed to a remarkable extent. 

There is in the United States a numerous 
body of Friends called Hicksites (from their 
founder, Elias Hicks), who separated from the 
orthodox community. The Hicksites allowed 
more freedom of opinion in matters pertaining 
to their religious belief. 

George Fox, the founder of the Society of 
Friends; born in Drayton, in Leicestershire, 
England, in July, 1624. M'^hen twenty years of 
age, and for some two or three years afterward. 
Fox describes himself as having been in a very 
distressed state of mind, from which the various 
professors and clergymen to whom he applied 
for counsel were unable to relieve him. From 
this condition he was at length delivered by 
that which he regarded the voice of God in his 
soul, directing him to Christ as alone able "to 
speak to his condition." Very soon after this 
he commenced his public ministrations at Duk- 
infield, Manchester, and the neighborhood. 
From the first his preaching made many con- 
verts and excited much opposition. He was 
first imprisoned in 1648 for opposing a 
preacher on a point of doctrine. In 1650 he 
was imprisoned at Derby under a false charge 
of blasphemy. One of the committing justices, 
Bennet, acted with great violence on this occa- 
sion, and it was he, who on Fox's bidding him, 
"tremble at the word of the Lord," first applied 
to Fox and his followers the name of "Quak- 
ers." Fox died in London, January 13, 1690. 

There are nearly 120,000 members of the 
different branches of Friends in the United 
States, having about 1,100 churches and 1,500 
ministers. 

Philadelphia 

The first city in the State, was laid out and 
named in 1682, by William Penn. Philadel- 
phia signifies "brotherly love." It was built 
at the junction of the Delaware and the Schuyl- 
kill rivers, and is the best planned city in the 
United States, there being no other city in 
which a stranger can so easily find his way. 
With few exceptions, the streets cross each 
other at right angles. The first nine original 
streets running east and west were all named 
after the various kmds of trees in the forest 



A BRIEF HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA 



13 



around, as Vine, Spruce, Pine, Sassafras, Wil- 
low, Chestnut, Walnut, etc. There were also 
twenty-three streets running north and south. 

Many of the settlers, during the first winter, 
lived in caves dug in the high bluff on the 
river-front between Vine and Walnut streets. 
The next year, in 1683, nearly one hundred 
houses were erected, which were inhabited by 
more than five hundred persons. Two years 
later six hundred houses were built upon ground 
which was covered with forest three years be- 
fore. Penn furnished the general plan for the 
construction of the houses, viz., size 18x30 feet, 
partitioned in the middle, covered and lined 
with clapboards and the intervening space filled 
with earth. The ground floor was of clay and 
the upper of wood. The roof was also of clap- 
boards. 

Some of the settlers who were financially able 
had brought with them houses in the flat, tools, 
implements, furniture, food, clothing, etc., to 
last them for several months. The poorer clas- 
ses were compelled to erect small huts, made 
from freshly cut timber. Philadelphia con- 
tinued to grow, and in 1700 over two thousand 
homes had been erected. 

Philadelphia is the largest city in Pennsyl- 
vania and the third largest in the United States. 
It has an area of 132 square miles; extending 
north and south about twenty-two miles, and is 
from five to ten miles in width. Population 
in 1890, 1,046,964; 1900, 1,293,697; 1910, 
1,549,008. 

Philadelphia was incorporated in 1691, but 
its charter was not received till 1701. The city 
was active in resisting British aggression in 
1763 and 1764. The first Continental Congress 
met here September 5, 1774, and the second 
May 10, 1775. George Washington was ap- 
pointed General and Commander-in-Chief of 
the American Army in the State House on June 
15, 1775. Here also the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence was adopted July 4, and proclaimed 
July 8, 1776. The city was occupied by the 
British from September, 1777 to June, 1778. 
A battle was fought at Germantown on October 
4, 1777. In the summer of 1787 delegates 
from the various States met in the State House, 
and framed the Constitution. The State House 
was commenced in 1732 and the building com- 
pleted in 1741. 

Among the attractions of the city is Fair- 
mount park, one of the largest public parks in 
the world. It extends more than seven miles 
on both banks of the Schulykill river, and more 
than six miles on both banks of Wissahickon 
creek, giving it an area of over 3,000 acres, 
traversed by 321/2 miles of driveways. In 1876 
the Centennial Exposition was held here. Me- 
morial Hall, erected at a cost of $1,500,000, 



which was used for the art gallery of the Expo- 
sition, now contains a permanent industrial 
and art collection. Here, also, is the Horticul- 
tural Building filled with tropical plants, and 
surrounded by thirty-five acres of ground de- 
voted to horticulture. 

In the heart of the city, at the intersection 
of Market and Broad streets, stands the City 
Hall, on a piece of ground which was formerly 
Penn Square. This great structure, usually 
called the Public Building, is said to be the 
largest building in the United States. The 
corner-stone was laid July 4, 1874, the same 
day that ground was broken for the Centennial 
Exposition buildings. It is built of white mar- 
ble and granite, in the renaissance style; is 
4861/2 feet long by 470 wide; contains 520 
rooms, and including a court yard 200 feet 
square in the center, covers an area of nearly 
four and one-half acres, having a floor space of 
nearly fifteen acres. The central tower rises 
to a height of 5471/4 feet, which is surmounted 
by a colossal statue of William Penn, 37 feet 
high and facing northeast in the direction of 
the famous "Treaty Elm," is the highest in the 
world. The total cost of the building was over 
$22,000,000. 

The city owns a water works system which 
cost about $35,000,000. The reservoirs have a 
storage capacity of 1,417,966,400 gallons, and 
the water is distributed through 1,338 miles of 
mains. There are in all 1,494 miles of streets, 
of which 1,067 are paved. The sewer system 
covers 844 miles. The city is lighted by elec- 
tricity at a cost of $929,667 per annum. The 
annual cost of the police department is $2,951,- 
242, and that of the fire department, $1,072,- 
378. The annual death rate averages 19.38 per 
1000. The cost of maintaining the city govern- 
ment in 1900 was $27,732,208! Street car lines 
(nearly all electric) traverse the principal 
streets and extend to the various suburbs. 

The Lancaster Turnpike 

The first turnpike in the LTnited States was 
built between Philadelphia and Lancaster, 
which was the beginning of the chief highway 
to the West. The Lancaster turnpike was be- 
gun in 1790. It was extended until it reached 
Pittsburg in 1806. "It went through Chester 
and Lancaster counties, crossed the Susque- 
hanna at Wright's Ferry, passed through York, 
Carlisle, Shippensburg and Bedford, thence 
across the Alleghenies to Pittsburg — the me- 
tropolis of the West after the Revolution. On 
this historic road thousands of emigrants travel- 
ed in the summer months to Pittsburg." 

The First Defenders of the Union 
On April 15, 1865, the day after the evacua- 



14 



A BRIEF HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA 



tion of Fort Sumter, President Lincoln called 
for 75,000 volunteers to serve for three months, 
Pennsylvania's quota being 14,000. Governor 
Curtin telegraphed the call all over the State. 
The news created wild excitement. The Key- 
stone State has the distinction of sending the 
first five companies to the front, which" now 
wear the proud badge of the "First Defenders." 
They were the Ringgold Light Artillery, of 
Reading ; the Logan Guards, of Lewistown ; the 
Washington Artillery and the National Light 
Infantry of Pottsville and the Allen Rifles of 
Allentown, making a total of 530 soldiers. 

The Ringgold company was the first to reach 
Llarrisburg, only one day after the President's 
call. The "First Defenders" were attacked by 
a mob in the streets of Baltimore, "but they 
never wavered under the constant fire of bricks, 
clubs, stones and earth. They reached Wash- 
ington at seven o'clock on the evening of the 
18th, where they defended the National Capi- 
tal." 

Governors of Pennsylvania 

The following is a list of the governors of the 
colony, province and State of Pennsylvania, 
with the year of the appointment or election of 
each: 

Under the Swedes 

Peter Minuit 1638 

Peter Hollandare 1641 

John Prlntz 1643 

.Tohn Pappegoya 1653 

John Claudius Rysingh 1654 

Under the Dntch 

Peter Stuyvesant (Deryck Schmidt, pro tern) 16 5 5 

John Paul Jaquet 1655 

Jacob Alrichs 1657 

Alexander D. Hinyossa 1659 

William Beekman 1662 

Alexander D. Hinyossa 1663 

Anthony Colve (Peter Alrichs' deputy) 1663 

Under the Duke of York 

Colonel Richard Nichols (Robert Carr, deputy) 1664 
Colonel Francis Lovelace 1667 

Under the English 

Sir Edmund Andross . 1674 

Under the Proprietary Government 

(Under the proprietary government, when there 
was no deputy governor the president of the coun- 
cil acted as such.) 

William Markham, Deputy 1681 

William Penn, Proprietor and Governor 1682 

Thomas Lloyd, President 1684 

John Blackwell, Deputy Governor 1688 

Benjamin Fletcher, Governor 1693 

William Markham, Governor 1695 

William Penn, Governor 1699 

Andrevi' Hamilton, Deputy Governor 1701 

Edward Shippen, President 1703 

John Evans, Deputy Governor 1704 

Charles Gookin, Deputy Governor 17 09 

Sir William Keith, Deputy Governor 1717 

Patrick Gordon, Deputy Governor 1726 

James Logan, Pi'esident 1736 



George Thomas, Deputy Governor 1738 

Anthony Palmer, President 1747 

James Hamilton, Deputy Governor 1748 

Robert H. Morris, Deputy Governor 1754 

William Denny, Deputy Governor 1756 

James Hamilton, Deputy Governor 1759 

John Penn, Governor 1763 

James Hamilton, President 1771 

Richard Penn, Governor 1771 

John Penn, Governor 1773 

The proprietory government ended by the Con- 
stitution ot 1776. The representatives of the Penn 
family were paid for the surrender ot their rights, 
and a government by the people established. 

STATE GOVERNORS 
Under the Constitution of 1776 

Thomas Wharton, President (died in office 

1778) 1777 

George Bryan, Acting 

Joseph Reed, President 1778 

William Moore, President 1781 

John Dickinson, President 1782 

Benjamin Franklin, President 1785 

Thomas Mifflin, President 1788 

From 1790, under the new State constitution, 
the executive officer has been termed governor in- 
stead of president. General Mifflin was the last 
president of the State under the old, and the first 
governor elected under the new constitution. 

Under the Constitution of 1790 

Thomas Mifflin Dec. 21, 1790 — Dec. 17, 1799 

Thomas McKean ... .Dec. 17, 1799 — Dec. 20, 1808 

Simon Snyder Dec. 20, 1808 — Dec. 16, 1817 

William Findlay Dec. 16, 1817 — Dec. 19, 1820 

Joseph Heister Dec. 19, 1820 — Dec. 16, 1823 

J. A. Shulse Dec. 16, 1823 — Dec. 15, 1829 

George Wolfe Dec. 15, 1829 — Dec. 15, 1835 

Joseph Ritner Dec. 15, 1835 — Dec. 15, 1839 

Under the Constitution of 1838 

D. R. Porter Jan. 15, 1839 — Jan. 21, 1845 

Francis R. Shunk . . . .Jan. 21, 1845 — July 9, 1848 

(Resigned July 9, 1848) 
Wm. F. Johnson, Acting July, 1848 — Jan. 20, 1852 

William Bigler Jan. 20, 1852 — Jan. 16, 1855 

James Pollock Jan. 16, 1855 — Jan. 19, 1858 

William F. Packer . . .Jan. 19, 18 5 8 — Jan 15, 1861 
Andrew G. Curtin. .. .Jan. 15, 1861 — Jan. 15, 1867 
John W. Geary Jan. 15, 1867 — Jan. 21, 1873 

Under the Constitution of 1873 

John F. Hartranft. . . .Jan. 21, 1873 — Jan. 18, 1879 

Henry M. Hoyt Jan. 18, 1879 — Jan. 16, 1883 

Robert E. Pattison. . .Jan. 16, 1883 — Jan. IS, 1887 

James A. Beaver Jan. 18, 1887 — Jan. 20, 1891 

Robert E. Pattison. . .Jan. 20, 1891 — Jan. 15, 1895 
Daniel H. Hastings. . .Jan. 15, 1895 — Jan. 14, 1899 
William A. Stone . . . .Jan. 17, 1899 — .Tan. 20, 1903 
Sam'l W. Pennypacker Jan. 20, 1903 — Jan. 21, 1907 

Edwin S. Stuart Jan. 21, 1907 — Jan. 16, 1911 

John K. Tener Jan. 16, 1911 — 

Population of Pennsylvania Since the 
First Census in 1790 



1790 434,373 

1800 602,265 

1810 810,091 

1820 1,049,458 

1830 1,348,233 

1840 1,724,033 

1850 2,311,786 



1860 2,906,215 

1870 3,521,951 

1880 4,282,891 

1890 5,258,014 

1900 6,302,115 

1910 7,665,111 



A BRIEF HISTORY OF RENNSYLVANIA 



15 



United States Postal Service 

Postal Service is the regulation of Communi- 
cation between different parts of a country, or 
different countries, including especially the for- 
warding and delivering of letters, newspapers 
and small packages, and the establishment of 
a registry system for the transfer of money and 
the transaction of other financial business. In 
some countries the use of the telephone and 
the telegraph forms a part of the postal service. 

The word "post" has its particular applica- 
tion from the posts, or stages, at which on the 
roads of the Roman empire, couriers were 
maintained for the purpose of conveying news 
and dispatches. 

The beginning of a postal service in the 
United States dates from 1639, when the house 
of Richard Fairbanks in Boston was employed 
for the receipt and dehvery of letters for or 
from beyond the seas. He was allowed for 
every letter a penny, and was obliged to answer 
all miscarriages through his own neglect. In 
1672 the government of New York colony es- 
tablished a "post to go monthly from JSTew York 
to Boston;" in 1702 it was changed to once in 
every two weeks. A general post^ofRce was es- 
tablished and erected in Virginia in 1692, and 
in Philadelphia in 1693. A deputy postmaster- 
general for America was appointed in 1692 ; 
and by Act of Parliament in 1710 he was di- 
rected to keep his principal office in New York, 
"and other chief offices in some convenient 
place or places in other of Her Majesty's pro- 
vinces or colonies in America." A monopoly 
was established which included also the trans- 
port of travelers, and a tariff was fixed. The 
system, however, proved a failure, till 1753, 
when JBenjamin Franklin became post-master- 
general. When he was removed from office in 
1774, the net revenue exceeded $15,000. In 
1757, Franklin received $1,000 salary as 
postmaster-general. 

In 1789, when the post-office was transferred 
to the new federal government, the number of 
offices in the thirteen States was only about 
seventy-five. In 1846, was the negotiation of 
a postal treaty with England. Postage stamps 
were introduced in 1847, stamped envelopes in 
1852, and the system of registering letters in 
1855. The free-delivery and the traveling- 
post-office systems were established in 1863. 
The money order system was mtroduced in 
1864 and postal cards in 1873, and, between 
the last two dates stamped newspaper wrappers 
and envelopes bearing request for the return of 
the enclosed letter to the writer in case of non- 
delivery. The Universal Postal Service was 
formed in 1873, and ten years later the issue 
of "postal note?" payable to bearer. The sp?- 
cial-deliverv svstem was established in 1885. 



after which letters bearing an extra 10-cent 
stamp are delivered by special messenger im- 
mediately on arrival. 

At the present time the postal establishment 
of the United States is the greatest business con- 
cern in the world. It handles more pieces, em- 
ploys more men, spends more money, brings 
more revenue, uses more agencies, reaches more 
homes, involves more details and touches more 
interests than any other human organization, 
public or private, governmental or corporate. 
Though the postal service of England, France 
and Germany, includes the telegraph, the pos- 
tal business of the United States surpasses the 
service of any of these countries. 

The free delivery system in cities serves about 
33,000,000 patrons at a cost of 50 cents a year 
each. 

The receipts of the Post-office Department for 
the fiscal year ending June 30, 1909, were 
$203,562,383, as comjDared with the fiscal year 
previous, of receipts of $191,478,663. 

The Rural Free Delivery Service is a late 
adjunct to the postal service, but notwithstand- 
ing its youth, it promises to out grow some of 
the older branches of the department. It was 
established under President McKrnley in 1897. 
That year forty-four routes were put in opera- 
tion. The service has grown to such an extent 
that for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1909, 
40.628 rural routes were in operation, and the 
expenditures for the year on account of the 
rural service were $35,661,034. Compared with 
the previous year there was an increase of 1351 
routes and $1,289,095 in expenses. The rural 
carriers handled in 1909 approximately 2,723,- 
262,000 pieces of mail and the average monthly 
number of pieces handled per route" was 5608. 
The rapid growth of the rural service has no 
precedent in the history of the postal establish- 
ment. It has grown from 82 routes in 1897 to 
40,628 in 1909, a period of twelve years, with 
an increase in annual expenditures from $1480 
to $35,661,034. The loss to the Post-office De- 
partment from rural delivery reaches nearly 
$28,000,000 a year. 

Historical Facts ■ 

The first mill in Pennsylvania was erected on 
Chester creek, near Philadelphia, about 1682, 
by Richard Townsend. He brought it ready 
framed from London. It served for the grind- 
ing of corn and the sawing of boards. 

In 1685, three years after Penn's landing, a 
printing press was running in Philadelphia. 
One of the earliest publications was an almanac, 
]irinted in the year 1685. 

Vrilliam Bradford broudit from England a 



16 



A BRIEF HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA 



printing outfit, including paper and ink, which 
was used for printing Friends' books. 

■ The first newspaper in Pennsylvania was 
started in Philadelphia, December 22, 1719. It 
was named The American Weekly Murcury, 
which was the third paper in the colonies. The 
other two were published in Boston, namely, 
Publick Occurrences both Foreign and Domes- 
tick, first published September 25, 1690, by 
Benjamin Harris: and The Boston Newsletter, 
appearing in 1702. The second newspaper in 
Pennsylvania was the Pennsylvania Gazette, 
published in 1729 by Benjamin Franklin. 

Ghristoph Saur, published a German paper 
in Germantown prior to 1740 and later, which 
circulated among the Germans from New York 
to Georgia. He published the first magazine in 
America. About 1743 he printed the German 
Bible, and about forty years later an English 
Bible was printed. Saur made his own type, 
paper and ink and bound his own books. 

The first daily newspaper was the Pennsylva- 
nia Packet, published by John Dunlap in 1784, 
and afterwards called the Daily Advertiser. 

In 1775 there were only thirty-four newspa- 
pers in the United States, with a total weekly 
circulation of 5,000 copies. 

The first bank in America was established in 
Philadelphia in 1780. 

In 1803, there were twenty-five banks in the 
United States, with an aggregate capital of $26,- 
707,000. 

The first post office in Pennsylvania was 
established by Penn, at Philadelphia, in 1683 ; 
but the first general post office was established 
ten years later. In 1717, there was a settled 
post route from Virginia and Maryland to Phil- 
adelphia and to all northern colonies. 

The Mennonites of Germantown were the 
first people in America to suggest the abolition 
of slavery. This was in 1688, when they sent 
a petition to the yearly meeting of the Friends, 
which stated, "that it was not Christian-like to 
buy and keep negroes." 

The first paper mill in America was built in 
1690, on a branch of the Wissahickon, by Wil- 
liam Rittenhuysen, a minister from Holland. 

The first public library in the State was pro- 
jected in 1731 by Benjamin Franklin, and was 
incorporated in 1742. 

Large numbers of Germans came to Penn- 
sylvania, and by 1750 they numbered about 
90,000 people, settling entire counties. They 
naturally had their own language and customs. 



Stephen Girard was the richest man in the 
United States before the War of 1812, being 
worth $10,000,000. Among other bequests he 
left $2,000,000 for the erection and mainten- 
ance in Philadelphia, of a college for male 
white orphans. He was born near Bordeaux, 
France, May 24, 1750 and died in Philadel- 
phia, December 26, 1831. 

By order of Congress, Peter Miller, one of 
the best learned men at his time, translated the 
Declaration of Independence into seven langu- 
ages. 

In colonial days governors, congressmen, 
lawmakers, and even presidents and framers 
of the constitution were farmers. 

The first militia law in the State was pre- 
pared by Benjamin Franklin, and was passed 
in 1775. A volimteer company of about five 
hundred men was soon organized. Franklin 
was made commander. Pie became so popular 
as a soldier that he was promoted to colonel. 

The Susquehanna valley was first settled by 
John Harris, father of John Harris, Jr., the 
founder of Harrisburg. He came from Eng- 
land, and in 1705 got permission as a licensed 
trader to trade with the Indians along the Sus- 
quehanna river and Conois creek. 

Harrisburg was founded by John Harris, Jr. 
in 1785 ; was incorporated as a borough in 
1791 ; became the State capital in 1812 ; and re- 
ceived its charter as a city in 1860. The city 
is well laid out, lighted with electricity, and 
surrounded by magnificent scenery. The State 
capitol buildings are located in the midst of a 
beautiful park of ten acres on a gentle rise of 
ground. The State Library comprises 118,000 
volumes. 

The first penny paper was issued in New 
York by Benjamin H. Day. It was called the 
Sun, and immediately acquired a large circula- 
tion. It Avas at first less than a foot square. 

In 1849, the Pennsylvania State Agricultural 
Society was organized, and the first State Fair 
held in the following year at Harrisburg. Since 
then societies have been organized in every 
county in the Commonwealth. 

In 1827 a railroad, nine miles in lengih, the 
longest then in existence in America, was con- 
structed from Mauch Chunk to some coal mines. 
Only two had preceeded this — one, with a wood- 
en track, at a stone quarry in the county of 
Delaware, Pennsylvania, and another, having a 
length of three miles, at a quarry in Quincy, 
Mass. Since that time the railroad system of 
this country has developed to its present mag- 
nitude. 



CHAPTER TWO 



INDIAN HISTORY OF WYOMING VALLEY 



W3'oming is a valley brimming full of his- 
tory. Between its eastern and western slopes 
some of the most stirring scenes of frontier war- 
fare and struggle were enacted. For more than 
half a century the valley has developed and ex- 
panded, and with this growth the old land- 
marks and their histories are gradually becom- 
ing destroyed and forgotten. 

It is our purpose here to portray a few of 
the many interesting scenes of the early days. 

A few years over a century ago large and 
powerful tribes of Indians inhabited the valley. 

The Iroquois is the name given to the alli- 
ance of the five tribes of Indians: Mohawks, 
Onedias, Onondagas, Cayugas and Senecas, 
which were called the Five iNations. The Tus- 
caroras, the sixth and last tribe to join the 
league, about one hundred years after its for- 
mation, after which they were called the Six 
Nations. The alliance of the five tribes was 
proposed by the Mohaioks. It has been said that 
the Iroquois were the most enterprising, as well 
as the most warlike people in America. 

"The Six Nations had great power in the ter- 
ritory of Pennsylvania, until they sold to the 
white people. The fishing and hunting grounds 
in these wilds were unequaled. The shad, the 
bass and the trout, the bear, the stately elk, and 
herds of deer gave them business, food and 
clothing, and with their variety of corn dishes, 
their fare was good and wholesome. Their 
councils were numerous, where they repeated 
their legends, and handed down the traditions 
of former ages, to be again repeated to those 
who should come after them. At these coun- 
cils their women were not only allowed to be 
present, but their opinions were consulted in 
war debates ; and strange to say of heathen, their 
women often acted as mediators, and when they 
advised to lay down the hatchet, their argu- 
ments often prevailed."- — Early Times on the 
Susquehanna. 

The Wyoming valley, before purchased and 
settled by the Connecticut Susquehanna Com- 
pany, was claimed by the Iroquois, but was 
occupied by the Delaware or Lenni Lenape In- 
dians. Their Indian name signifies the origi- 
nal people. "Nearly forty tribes acknowledged 
them as 'great grandfathers.' " They consisted 
of several tribes, three of which were the most 
important, namely: the Turtle, Turkey and 
Wolf. The first two lived between the Atlan- 
tic ocean and the Blue mountains. The last 
named occupied the mountainous country west 
of the Blue mountains, including both branches 
of the Susquehanna. 

The Delaware? were once a powerful tribe, 
but had been subdued by the Iroquois, hj whom 



they were made vassals early in the 18th cen- 
tury, and were compelled to vacate the country 
along the Delaware, east of the Blue Ridge, and 
move to the Wyoming valley. 

The Nanticokes and the Shawanese occupied 
the lower end of the valley, the former on the 
east side of the Susquehanna and the latter on 
the opposite side. Later the Nanticokes moved 
up the river and the Shawanese to Ohio. 

When the Moravian missionaries first visited 
Wyoming Valley in 1742, its Indian residents 
were Delawares, Monseys, Shawanese, Nanti- 
cokes, Mohicans and Wanamese, all of whom 
were vassals of the Iroquois by virtue of con- 
quest. They were practically prisoners. They 
could not change their abode without consent, 
and they were liable to be sent elsewhere when- 
ever their imperious masters demande(i. Prob- 
ably_ the reason Wyoming was chosen as the 
abiding place of these vassal people, was that it 
lay on the great Iroquois highway between the 
north and the south, where they could be kept 
under constant supervision of their masters. 

The earliest to occupy Wyoming Valley, so 
far as appears, were the Shawanese, whom Con- 
rad Weiser found there in 1737, who were foes 
of the English. By permission of John Penn 
they had first located in Wyoming in 1701. 
Reichel believes that "they were placed at Wy- 
oming by the Six Nations, who were confident 
that they could place no custodian more reli- 
able than the ferocious Shawanese in charge 
of that lovely valley, which they designed to 
keep for themselves and their children forever." 
In 1728. when about 500 in number, the Six 
Nationshad ordered them to move to the Ohio, 
and their empty cabins at Wyoming were taken 
by another contingent of the Shawanese, who 
were transferred from near Lancaster. They 
had for their leader Kakowatchie (or Gacha- 
watschiqua) , and it was these Shawanese whom 
Zinzendorf (the Moravian missionary) found 
at Wyoming in 1742. Beside their village 
where Plymouth stands, the Shawanese had an- 
other between Plvmouth and Kingston, back of 
what is called Ross Hill, present Blindtown. 
There were also Shawanese villages at Fishing 
Oeek and Brier Creek. 

The Delawares called themselves Lenni Le- 
nape, signifying "orioinal people." The Mon- 
sies (or Minsies) and the Wanamese belonged 
to them. The Delawares had their council fires 
at Minisink, near the Delaware Water Gap, 
fifty miles southeast of Wilkes-Barre, and their 
hunting grounds extended from Easton, Pa., 
to the sea. They had a village near Scranton 
as early as 1728. They were vassals of the 
Iroquois, by whom they were ordered away 



18 



IIISTOliY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



from the Forks of the Delaware (the name then 
given to the lands lying within the confluence 
of the Delaware and Lehigh rivers; at that time 
the Lehigh was called the west branch of the 
Delaware) and given the option of locating 
either at Shamokin or at Wyoming. Nearly 
all went to Wyoming, but some chose Shamo- 
kin. So it happened that they had become 
occupants of the valley of the Susquehanna in 
the same j^ear that Zinzendorf and his follow- 
ers first visited the region in 1742. 

The leader of the Delawares was Teedyus- 
cung, who was born about 1700 near Trenton, 
N. J., a locality in which his ancestors had been 
seated from time immemorial. They were 
gradually pushed northwardly by the settle- 
ments, and about 1730 located in Pennsylvania 
above the confluence of the Delaware and Le- 
high rivers, and finding no white men, they 
wandered wherever they found good hunting or 
fishing. But in a very few years the wilderness 
in the Forks began to be encroached upon by 
Scoth-Irish immigrants. 

The Delaware Indians had been defrauded of 
their hunting gromids in the Forks by means 
of such unscrupulous measures as the "walking 
purchase of 1737," and it was only by appeal- 
ing to their masters, the Six Nations, to expel 
them, that the Penns could obtain possession. 
The Six Nations treated them in the most in- 
sulting manner, and aroused in the breasts of 
the Delawares an animosity that never slum- 
bered. Then the Delawares removed to the 
Susquehanna Valley. They built a town just 
below Wilkes-Barre. 

At Nescopeck, thirty miles below Wilkes- 
Barre, was an important Delaware town, on the 
east bank of the Susquehanna. 

On the same stream, a little above the mouth 
of the Lackawanna, was the Delaware town of 
Asserughney, under the chieftainship of Kind- 
assowa. They came here about 1728. There 
was also a Delaware village at Tunkhannock 
and another at Wyalusing. 

The Wanamese, (or Wanamie tribe of the 
Delawares, whose chief was named Jacob) , 
came from the Forks of the Delaware in 1842, 
and occupied the level, elevated land about two 
miles north of Wilkes-Barre, near the Borough 
of Parsons, in Plains township. This they 
named Jacob's Plains, in honor of their chief, 
but upon the formation of the township, Nov. 
10. 1851, the old chief's name was left off. 

The Monseys occupied the Lackawanna Val- 
ley, and their chief was Capouse, from whom 
"Capouse Meadows" (now Providence) was 
named. They had their village on the west 
side of the Lackawanna, where Providence is 
now located. They came here sometime before 
1730. HoUister says in his History: "The do- 
mestic habits of the Monsey tribe when not en- 



gaged in warfare were extremely simple and 
lazy. Patches of open land or 'Indian clear- 
ings' early were found in the valley, where on- 
ions, cantaloupes, beans and corn, and their 
favorite weed, tobacco, were half cultivated by 
the obedient squaw." Their burying ground 
was located on the east bank of the Lackawanna, 
above the mouth of Nay Aug Creek. The 
Monseys accompanied the Delawares to Ohio, 
and subsequently were merged in the latter 
tribe. 

The Mohicans came -with the Delawares m 
1742 and built a village on the east bank of 
Abraham's creek, near its confluence with the 
Susquehanna. Their chief's name was Abra- 
ham, from whom the creek received its name. 
Rising in Dallas township, it crosses Kingston 
township, runs through Wyoming borough, and 
flows into the Susquehanna at Forty Fort. 

The Nanticokes had their village on the west 
bank of Nanticoke creek, near the river, where 
the borough of the same name is now located. 
The Nanticokes were a dependency of the Iro- 
quois, living along Chesapeake Bay. Their 
name in the several languages signified tidewa- 
ter or sea-shore people. They passed up to Wy- 
oming in 1748, either under the orders of the 
Iroquois or by their permission. Zeisberger says 
they were adverse to the Gospel, and surpassed 
all other Indians in their heathenism and sor- 
cery. However, several became Moravian con- 
verts. The entire population of the Nanticoke 
village removed to the Province of New York 
in May, 1753, and from there to Ohio. 

Smallpox and ardent spirits carried off the 
greater part of the Nanticokes, so that in 1785 
(then in Ohio) there were scarcely fifty of 
them. They sided with the British, and ulti- 
mately settled in Canada, alongside the Shawa- 
nese, who had invited them. 

The ilndians occupied the valley in greater 
or less numbers until 1763, when, after the 
death of their chief, Teedyuscimg, they depart- 
ed. However, a few of them continued to visit 
the fertile plaiiis of Wyoming for some j^ears 
later, as shown by references in the diary of the 
Moravian Indian village at Wyalusing. (1765- 
1772). A little before the abandonment of the 
\Vyalusing mission by the Moravians in 1772, 
the ConnecticTit migration had set in, and with 
it disappeared all Indians from the valley of the 
Susquehanna. 

Their Teue Character. 

"The Indians of our country have ever been 
looked upon with interest by every lover of his- 
tory. They have .iustly been charged with 
savage cruelties, such as make the blood chill, 
when called to mind. But when we look ivpon 
(hem as natives of tlie soil, and we the invndevs : 
when we consider how all nations are affected 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



19 



by intrusion and oppression, and what excesses 
of barbarity the most civilized nations have al- 
lowed and practiced; we might do well to ex- 
tend charity to the less cultivated and refined, 
who have not had the advantages with which 
we have been favored. 

"Those who have taken an interest in them, 
and studied their character, instructing them in 
civilization and Christianity, claim that many 
of them make the most humane, sensible and 
reliable men. 

"The original Indians were not beasts of prey, 
but have become such by provocation. In por- 
traying the character of the Indians of Pennsyl- 
vania we will go back to the time when it had 
not yet become changed by associating with the 
Europeans. They were very hospitable, and 
expected hospitality in return. Courtesy was 
a distinct trait in their character. A "good 
morning, father," "grandfather," "uncle," and 
so on, down to a small grandchild, was the 
common form of address. Even the children 
saluted one another affectionatelv and respect- 
fully. Quarrels were avoided. Fighting, they 
said, is only for dogs and beasts. It was a rare 
thing to hear of murders among them in the 
days before the settlement of Pennsylvania. 
This we loiow from the testimony of reliable 
and well-informed Indians, who helped to 
build the first houses in Philadelphia." Colum- 
bus, the first white man to know the red men, 
pays them this high compliment: "They love 
their neighbors as themselves." 

"The character of the Indians was greatly 
changed after the white men came to this coun- 
try. They were the oriainal inhabitants of the 
Western Hemisphere. They were driven from 
their hunting groimds, their camps were broken 
up, and they suffered cruel treatment from the 
white men who settled in this countrjr. One of 
the early missionaries among the Indians said: 
"Often I have listened to these descriptions of 
their hard sufferings, until I felt ashamed of 
being a white man." It is not surprising that 
the Indians are cruel and avengeful. 

Their Mode op Life. 

"The Indians had no code of laws, except a 
few unwritten rules of justice and courtesy, 
which were enforced by the chiefs and their 
counsellors. The wampum, or Indian money, 
necessary to carry an order of the chief into 
effect, was freely given. Important transac- 
tions were ratified by strings and belts of wam- 
pum. Black wampum signified war ; white, 
peace, friendship, good-will. The pipe of peace, 
which was made of black or red stone, had to 
be whitened before it was used for such a pur- 
pose. To kee]T treaties fresh in the memory, 
the chiefs met occasionally at some chosen spot 



in the forest and rehearsed them. Thus, between 
the years 1770 and 1780, the Delawares could 
relate very minutely what had passed between 
William Penn and their forefathers. On such 
occasions, the Indians sat around a chest, took 
out one string or belt after another, handed it 
to every person present, and repeated the words 
spoken at its delivery." 

No Schools 

"The Indians had no schools. The parents 
taught the children. The first lessons were 
about the Great Spirit and about the duties to 
parents and elders. PLcading and writing were 
unknown arts to them. The Iroquois and Dela- 
wares understood a little counting. The pr^si- 
tion of the sun served to show the time of day ; 
and the stages of the corn, the season of the 
year. The marriage tie was weak, and poly- 
gamy was permitted. The children followed 
the mother in case of separation. The name, 
as a rule, was given by the father, who gener- 
ally selected that of some animal. Other names 
were frequently added. Thus, one who wore 
torn or patched shoes was called Bad Shoes: one 
who had large eyes, Great Eye. To the white 
men the Indians gave suggestive names of their 
own. When the Delawares had learned the 
meaning of Penn's name, they at once called 
him Miquon, feather or quill. The Iroquois 
called him Onas, for the same reason. Ingen- 
ious compounds were invented. Thus, the name 
for Philadelphia was Quequenaku, 'the grove 
of the long pine trees.' " 

Occupations 

"Hunting was considered the most honorable 
occupation. The Delawares early trained their 
boys to run so fast as to o\ertake a deer, and 
to shoot small fishes with their bows and arrows. 
The oyster, the land-tortoise and the locus.t were 
also in demand for food. Vegetables of various 
kinds were raised; but maize, (corn) aside from 
meat and fish, was the chief food. They planted 
it after the hazelnut was in bloom, as a precau- 
tion against frost. The shoulder-blade of a deer 
or a tortoise shell was used to hoe — a work that 
fell to the women." 

The Indians considered it disgraceful for a 
man to work, and labor was principally confin- 
ed to the squa\\'s. An Indian would go three or 
four miles to shoot a deer or bear, which he 
would carry on his shoulders until perhaps with- 
in a mile or less from home, where he would 
leave his game and proceed to the wigwam. His 
wife would then go for the prize and carry it 
into camp. The Indian thought this perfectly 
proper. 

InDI.^N AjrirSEMENTS 

"Dancing and singing were the Indian's 



20 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



amusements, though he indulged in them for 
other purposes. This grotesque performance 
ended in a disagreeable yell, which resembled 
the mewing of the cat-bird at the close of its 
pretty song. The war dance was to terrify, not 
to please. It was performed around a painted 
post, and the dancers went through all the mo- 
tions and actions of the battle. After a victory, 
a dance of thanksgiving was in order. It was 
religious in its nature." — History of Pennsylva- 
nia. 

A Glimpse of an Indian Village 

It is late afternoon of a hazy day in October 
in the small Indian village of Maughwauwame, 
or Wyoming, on the banks, of the winding Sus- 
quehanna. Here and there among the great 
forest trees stand peaked wigwams of white 
deer-skin fantastically painted with the sym- 
bols of the tribe. Groups of children are merrily 
playing along the banks of the river; at one 
place an imaginary battle is being fought be- 
tween young braves decorated with feathers, 
berry-juice and daubs of gayly colored paint. 
The little Indian girls are busily keeping "wig- 
wam" with small wooden images for children. 
Further up the river the older boys are having 
a diving and swimming contest. 

Already the sun is setting in the west ; a soft, 
grey mist is slowly rising from the river and 
from the deep forests where it is gradually blot- 
ting out the gray autumn foliage. Soon, thin 
columns of smoke, twisting upwards from the 
wigwams to meet the thickening mist, warn 
the young Delawares that it is nearly time for 
the evening meal and for their fathers to re- 
turn from the hunt. The little girls hurry 
home to help their mothers and the boys eager- 
ly await the arrival of the great men of the 
tribe. In a very short time they appear; some 
of the younger braves have pheasants and quail 
slung over their shoulders and here and there 
the beautiful bronze plumage of the wild turkey 
is conspicuous. Last of all, the older warriors 
emerge from the fast-gathering gloom of the 
forest. Proudly one of their number bears a 
young deer on his back. A small stream of 
blood is trickling from the breast of the animal, 
where a poisoned arrow has pierced his heart. 

Joyfully, but in a subdued manner, the wo- 
men and children welcome the warriors. After 
the game has been sufficiently admired, and the 
prowess of the hunters praised, the families 
withdraw to their wigwams^ Soon the Indian 
village is hidden in darkness, with the exception 
of a bright fire which has been kindled, where, 
later the warriors will assemble to talk of the 
hunt and to make plans for the coming winter. 
Darker and darker it grows; the tepees become 
uncertain silhouettes against the western sky: 
the council fire is dead save for an occasional 



ember fanned to a glow by the night breeze; 
Maughwauwame is asleep. 

First Houses Built in Wyoming Valley 

Teedyuscung, the King of the Delawares, 
wished to settle down with his tribe in the 
Wyoming valley. He sent a petition to the 
Assembly and asked that a settlement be given 
them in the valley and protection by the Gov- 
ernment. They did not wish a fort, but simply 
some houses so that they might have a home 
where all would be peace and where men might 
be sent to teach them and their posterity the 
doctrines of the Christian religion. 

The Assembly petitioned the Governor and 
recommended that a favorable answer be given. 
He consented to this, and held a meeting with a 
council selected for that purpose, as to the best 
way to build the houses and the choice of men 
to send to do the work. It was decided that 
Captain Hughes with Shippen and Galbraith 
should take charge of the building of the 
houses. 

These men, with a guard of about one hun- 
dred and fifty members of the provincial troops, 
set out for Wyoming in October, 1757. Teedy- 
uscung and some of his warriors accompanied 
them. When they arrived in the valley, the 
chief pointed out the spot which he had selected 
for the building of the houses. This site was 
within the precincts of the Tenth Ward of the 
present city of Wilkes-Barre. Work was begun 
and, by the middle of iNovember, when the first 
snows whitened the ground, two houses were 
finished and six more were started. Teedyus- 
cung then told the company, that as long as he 
did not intend to spend the winter there, they 
could leave their work as it was until the spring 
and go back to Philadelphia. Advantage was 
taken at once of this permission. 

When spring came, Shippen and some others 
could not accompany the Indians to Wyoming. 
Henry Pawling was therefore appointed to aid 
Hughes in carrying out the Governor's orders. 
This time they were joined by the Delaware 
chief and about one hundred Indians. They 
followed the old Indian trail over the moun- 
tains to the Winding River and the valley of 
Wyoming. 

In the midst of their labor one of the white 
men was killed by some strange Indians from 
the North, thus adding fear to the many trials 
of the little band. Finally, the houses were fin- 
ished. They were simple log huts, most of 
them fourteen by twenty feet, while one, pre- 
sumably for the chief, was sixteen by twenty- 
four feet. These had been erected for the In- 
dians by the proprietary government of Penn- 
sylvania at an expense of eighteen hundred 
Spanish milled dollars. 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



21 



These houses were built of squared logs and 
dove-tailed. Eleven were built at this time, but 
there must have been more erected later, for 
"on the night of April 19, 1763, the dwelling 
of Teedyuscung and twenty others around it 
were set on fire by a party of Iroquois who had 
visited the valley under the guise of friendship, 
and the chief, under the influence of liquor, 
perished in the flames. This was an act of 
savage vengeance for the death of an Iroquois 
warrior at the hand of Teedyuscung in 1758." 

Thus the little settlement known as Maugh- 
wauwame was established June 7, 1758, by a 
tribe of Delaware Indians under the leadership 
of Teedyuscung. 

The Grasshopper "War 

"While the warriors of the Delawares were 
engaged upon the moimtains in a hunting ex- 
pedition, a number of squaws from Maughwau- 
wame, were gathering wild fruits along the 
margin of the river, about a mile below their 
village, near the line between Wilkes-Barre 
and Hanover townships, where they found a 
number of Shawanese squaws and their chil- 
dren, who had crossed the river in their canoes 
upon the same business. A child belonging 
to the Shawanese, having captured a large 
grasshopper, a quarrel arose among the chil- 
dren for the possession of it, in which their 
mothers soon took a part. The Delaware squaws 
contending that the Shawanese had no privi- 
leges upon that side of the river, the quarrel 
soon became general; but the Delawares, being 
the most numerous, soon drove the Shawanese 
to their canoes and to their own bank, a few 
having been killed upon both sides. Upon the 
return of the warriors, both tribes prepared for 
battle to revenge the wrongs which they consid- 
ered their wives had sustained. 

"The Shawanese, upon crossing the river, 
foimd the Delawares ready to receive them and 
oppose their landing. A dreadful conflict took 
place between the Shawanese in their canoes 
and the Delawares on the bank. At length, 
after great numbers had been killed, the Shawa- 
nese effected a landing, and a battle took place 
about a mile below Maughwauwame, in which 
many hundred warriors are said to have been 
killed on both sides; but the Shawanese were 
so much weakened in landing that they were 
not able to sustain the conflict, and after the 
loss of about half their tribe, the remainder 
were forced to flee to their own side of the 
river, shortly after which they abandoned their 
town and removed to Ohio." — Chapman's His- 
tory of Wyoming. 

John Sergeant. 
John Seargeant, the first Christian missionary 
to the Wyoming valley, was the son of Jona- 



than Sergeant, whose earlier home had been in 
New England, but who, at the time of the birth 
of his son, was living in iNewark, New Jersey. 
John was educated in the best schools of the day, 
and in 1729, at the early age of nineteen years, 
was graduated from Yale College. For some 
years after he remained there as a tutor, but 
was at the same time pursuing his theological 
studies. It is said that he was one of the most 
successful tutors that the college has ever 
known. Later he declared : "I feel I have been 
called to become a missionary to the Indians. 
I would rather be that than have the best parish 
England can offer." 

A mission had been established in Stock- 
bridge, Mass., which was meeting with great 
success, and Mr. Sergeant became a teacher 
there. 

In June, 1741, accompanied by several Stock- 
bridge Indians, this young man came to Wyom- 
ing in order to teach the Gospel to the Indian 
tribes, the Mohegans and the Shawanese, who 
lived in the valley. They were kindly received 
and well treated, but the Indians did not seem 
to be very enthusiastic about the doctrine which 
was being preached to them. Mr. Sergeant 
preached one sermon in which he called them 
brothers, and offered to instruct them in the 
principles of Christianity. This they refused, 
because of a promise, that "they never would 
receive Christianity from the English." This 
they had made to the Senecas, from whom they 
had bought their land. Another reasonfor re- 
fusing the doctrine was the way in which the 
white traders had acted toward their squaws. 
Finally, discouraged and down-hearted, he re- 
turned to Massachusetts. Still he had hope that 
some day a way would be opened by which the 
Indians would become converted to Christian- 
ity. He died at Stockbridge in July, 1749, be- 
lieving that some day, some more successfuJ 
man would accomplish the fulfillment of his 
plans. 

The First Massacre of the Whites in 
Wyoming. 

That Saturday, October 15, 1763, which 
dawned so bright and clear in the Wyoming 
valley and set amid bloodshed and conflagra- 
tion, is,, perhaps, not so well known as that day 
of the great massacre of 1778, but, nevertheless, 
it shows only too well the cruelty and treachery 
of the redmen. The settlers at Mill Creek, pro- 
fiting by the fair weather, were busily engaged 
in their various occupations, unprepared for 
danger. Some were at work in the saw-miH, 
others were on the flats caring for their crops; 
some were felling trees along the edges of the 
forest, now glorious in its gay autumnal colors, 
others were erecting more log-cabins which were 
necessary for the comfort and accommodation 



22 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



of the rapidly growing colony. The women 
were perforunng their simple household duties 
ia their rough homes, while the children were 
merrily playing around the block-house. 

It was near the hour of noon in this happy, 
peaceful settlement, when suddenly the blood- 
curdling warwhoop of Indians rang through 
the depths of the surrounding forest, striking 
fear and dread into hearts of old and young. 
"Captain Bull." the son of Teedyuscung, to 
avenge his father's death (caused by the burn- 
ing of the Indian village, Maughivauwame, by 
the Iroquois Indians, on the night of April 19, 
1763, which was charged upon the settlers), 
swooped down on the terrified people, with one 
hundred and thirty-five brave warriors. Blood- 
shed and destruction resulted. Some of the 
panic-stricken inhabitants, haviag no time to 
flee, were quickly scalped and murdered. Eigh- 
teen or twenty persons lost their lives m this 
way and many others were taken prisoners. 
One man is said to have escaped the keen eyes 
of the Indians by hiding in the tall grass, be- 
ing almost the only one who was at work on the 
open flats, who survived the dreadful massacre. 

The settlers who were at the mill, the block- 
house and some of the more remote cabins, hear- 
ing the cries and gunshots on the flats near the 
river, fled, without provisions or sufficient cloth- 
ing, through the woods to the mountains on 
the east. As they looked back at the valley 
during their ascent, they saw the savages plun- 
dering their former peaceful homes and driving 
their cattle away. When darkness fell, the 
merciless red man set fire to the cabins and soon 
the weary fugitives beheld the sky lighted with 
the flames of their own dwellings. The settlers, 
almost starved and chilled with the keen au- 
tumn winds, were forced to flee through the 
forest, over rivers and morasses, sixty miles to 
the nearest settlement on the Delaware and 
thence back to their friends in Connecticut. 
Many, in spite of the dangers they encountered 
and the hardships they were forced to endure, 
accomplished this journey in safety, while 
others, lost in the swamps and worn out with 
want and fatigue, died alone in the desolate 
wilderness. 

Frances Slocum 
"The Lost Sister of Wyoming." 

The history of Frances Slocum, the child of 
Jonathan and Ruth (Tripp) Slocum of Wilkes- 
Barre, has been for nearly one hundred and 
thirty-five years one of the most pathetic and 
fascinating romances of American history. 

Frances was captured by the Delaware In- 
dians when nearly five years of age, November 
2, 1778, near the south-west corner of North 
Pennsylvania avenue and East North street, 
where the North Street School is located. After 



fifty-nine years of ceaseless searching by her 
brothers and relatives, she was found Septem- 
ber 22, 1837, hving near Peru, Indiana, the 
widow of a Miami Indian chief and the mother 
of two married daughters. Her Indian name 
was Ma-con-a-quah. 

Her relatives endeavored to persuade her to 
return to the home of her birth, but she would 
not consent. She said she had become ac- 
custom to the Indian habits and method of liv- 
ing, and at her advanced age did not care to 
leave her daughters and Indian friends and re- 
turn to the East. 




PRANCES SLOCUM 

Made from a portrait painted from Ufe in 1839, wlien 
66 years of age. 

(Courtesy of Wyoming Historical Society) 

On December 16th, about six weeks after her 
capture, her father, with Isaac Tripp (Mrs. Slo- 
cum's father) and William, a youth, Avere fod- 
dering cattle from a stack near the fort when 
they were fired upon by the Indians. Mr. Slo- 
cum was shot dead ; Mr. Tripp was speared and 
tomahawked, and both were scalped; William, 
wounded by a ball in the heel, escaped and gave 
the alarm. Thvrs in a very shoi-t time Mrs. Slo- 
cum lost her child, husband and father at the 
hands of the cruel and merciless savages. Mrs. 
Slocum died May 6, 1807, aged 72 years. 

No monument has ever been erected to the 
memory of Frances Slocum in the Wyoming 
Valley where she was born. But a very hand- 
some one was placed over her remains near Re- 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



23 



serve, Indiana, where she died March 9, 1847. 
This monument was erected in 1900, by a com- 
mittee of thirteen descendants of Jonathan Slo- 
cum. In the family of her father's descend- 
ants various interesting relics of her person, her 
home, and her history are presei-ved with great 
care and reverence. 

On the 2nd day of November, 1906, the spot 
of her capture was marked by the erection of a 
bronze tablet on the wall of the North Street 
Public School in Wilkes-Barre, the school-house 
being within a few feet of the actual spot where 
Frances Slocum was captured. At the same 
time another, a larger tablet, was erected on the 
wall of the Wyoming Historical Society ■ build- 
ing. These tablets were erected by the same 
committee that erected the monument. 

Sullivan's Campaign 

After the Wyoming Massacre, Gen. Washing- 
ton . placed Gen. Sullivan, the hero of Long 
Island and Chad's Ford, in command of a large 
force of regulars with a full equipment of ar- 
tillery and cavalry, to make an invasion of the 
Indian strongholds. A similar force, from the 
vicinity of the Mohawk valley, tmder General 
James Clinton was ordered to co-operate. 

Early in the summer of 1779 three thousand 
men under Gen. Sullivan assembled in the up- 
per Susquehanna valley, in the lately deserted 
region , and moved up the river, clearing a road 
through the vast original forest sufficient to 
move heavy aitillery and army supplies. "Sul- 
livan's road" is still traced along the river, es-. 



pecially at Wilkes-Barre and Meshoppen. 

While on the way, Sullivan was joined by 
Gen. Clinton's force who had come by the way 
of Otsego Lake and the Susquehanna. The 
united forces amounted to about five thousand 
men, of which Sullivan had general command. 
At just Avhat point on the river this union of 
forces took place is not known, but probably at 
Chenango Point, now Binghamton, N. Y. 

The Indians and their allies, the Tories, had 
received information of the intended invasion, 
and appeared in arms to oppose them. They 
were much inferior in force, however, being 
about fifteen hmidred Indians and tM'o hundred 
Tories. A battle took place at Newtown on the 
29th of Aug-ust, in which the enemy was easily 
defeated. 

Sullivan then pushed forward into the heart 
of the Indian country, penetrating as far as the 
Genesee I'iver, laying everything waste, setting 
fire to deserted dwellings, destroying corn fields, 
orchards, gardens, everything that could give 
sustenance to a Tory or a savage ; the design be- 
ing to exterminate the Indians and starve them 
out of the country. 

The latter retreated before him with their 
families, and, at length took refuge under the 
protection of the British Garrison at Niagara. 
Having completed his purpose Sullivan return- 
ed to Easton, in Pennsylvania. The thanks of 
Congress was voted to him and his army. 

As has been stated, the expedition was the 
result of Washington's broad generalship, and 
forever cleared the Wyoming and Mohawk val- 
leys of hostile Indian tribes. 



CHAPTER THREE 



THE WYOMING VALLEY 



The name Wyoming is a corruption of the 
Indian name Maughwauwame, composed of the 
words maughwau, large, and luame, plains. The 
name, then signifies The Large Plains. The 
early settlers, finding it difficult to pronounce 
the word correctly, spoke it, Wamvaumie, then 
Wiaivwme, then Wiomic, and finnally Wyom- 
ing, which name the valley has born for over 
one hundred and fifty years. "This is, of 
course, the original Wyoming — all other lo- 
calities, places and objects in North America 
which bear the same i:iame having derived it 
either primarily or secondarily from that of the 
fair vale 'on Susquehanna's side.' " This beau- 
tiful and historic valley of Wyoming is a long 
oval or elliptical basin, some sixteen miles in 
length, with an average breadth of three miles, 
situated in north-eastern Pennsylvania on ei- 



ther side of the winding Susquehanna. "On 
both sides of the river, for nearly this whole 
distance, lie rich and fertile alluvial bottom- 
lands, forming plains, or flats; at some points 
narrow and restricted in breadth, but at others 
stretching out towards the hills or mountains 
for at least a mile. These fiats contain several 
thousand acres, nearly all of which are well 
cultivated, and have been for more than a hun- 
dred years." 

While the Wyoming Valley in its limited 
meaning, now gives a name to a valley unsur- 
passed for its beautiful scenery and the romance 
of its history, it was formerly used in a more 
enlarged sense, and included all the country 
purchased by the Susquehanna Company from 
the ilroquois Indians (Six Nations) July 11, 
1754. 



24 



HISTOllY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



The Susquehanna Company 

L1I753 an association was formed in Connec- 
ticut, called the Susquehanna Company, for the 
purpose of forming a settlement in the fertile 
and beautiful valley of Wyoming, and during 
the same year agents were sent to explore the 
country and to establish a friendly intercourse 
with the Indian tribes that should be found in 
possession of it. They found the valley occu- 
pied by the Delaware Indians, but was claimed 
by the Six Nations. 

Soon after the agents of the Susquehanna 
Company arrived, "Indian scouts and interpre- 
ters carried the news to Philadelphia, and 
alarmed the Proprietary Government of Penn- 
sylvania, which also claimed this wild tract yet 
unlocked by any Indian treaty, grant, or title 
to any party. Daniel Broadhead and William 
Parsons, two justices of the peace in Northamp- 
ton county, on the war-path from Connecticut 
to Wyoming Valley, were instructed by Penn- 
sylvania to watch all persons and parties going 
hither, either to explore or begin a settlement." 
— HoUister's History, p 71. 

In fact, no inland point within the province 
was watched with greater care or devotion for 
many years, than was Wyoming. James 
Hamiltion, who was Governor of Pennsylva- 
nia under the Proprietaries, having been in- 
formed of the intentions of the Susquehanna 
Company, it not being kept a secret, imme- 
diately adopted measures to defeat the plans of 
this company, and endeavor to purchase the 
land for the use of the Proprietaries of Pennsyl- 
vania. 

"It should be understood by the general 
reader, that all lands claimed by the English in 
America were sold or granted to one or more 
persons with an understanding that the right 
or rather the necessity still existed of repurchas- 
ing the same territory of the Indian tribes hav- 
ing ownership, before it could safely be occu- 
pied by the whites. Thus a portion of the land 
granted to William Penn by King Charles 11. 
March 11, 1681, was repurchased by him of 
the native tribes, in a manner so explicit and 
satisfactory to them, that ever afterwards his 
intercourse with all the aborigines was marked 
by a constant and unvarying friendship, un- 
known in modern times." — HoUister's History. 

The Attorney General of Pennsylvania, to 
whom the matter had been referred, decided 
that "the Wyoming valley had not yet been 
purchased from the Six Nations, but had been 
reserved, and used by them for their hunting 
grounds." John and Richard Penn, Isaac Nor- 
ris and Benjamin Franklin were appointed by 
Governor Hamilton as commissioners, who were 
sent to Albany in June, 1754, to meet the great 
council of the Six Nations, which had assembl- 



ed there to meet the delegates sent from Con- 
necticut to represent the Susquehanna Com- 
pany, who were William Pitkin, Roger Wol- 
cott and Elisha Williams. 

The agents or delegates of the Susquehanna 
Company were sent to purchase this much 
coveted valley from the Indians if possible, and 
Governor Hamilton and his agents devised 
every known scheme to thwart the Connecticut 
enterprise, holding several private councils 
with the chiefs of the Six Nations, and endeav- 
oring to purchase the same land themselves. 
Notwithstanding this opposition, strengthened 
as it was by the influence of Sir William. John- 
son, the purchase was made by the agents of 
the Susquehanna Company, July 11, 1754. 

The sum paid was two thousand pounds of 
current money of the province of New York, 
and the tract purchased extended about seventy 
miles south from New York State line, and 
from a parallel line ten miles east of the Sus- 
quehanna river, and extending westward about 
120 miles. 

This purchase included the whole valley of 
Wyoming, and the coimtry westward to the 
sources of the Alleghany river, which included 
the territory now known as Luzerne, Wyoming, 
Sullivan, Bradford, Tioga, Lycoming, Potter 
and Clinton counties^ and portions of Clearfield, 
Centre, Union, Montour, Columbia, Lacka- 
wanna and Susquehanna counties. 

The Delaware Company 

Another association was later formed in Con- 
necticut called the "Delaivare Company," which 
purchased all the land of the Indians, lying 
east of the Susquehanna Company tract to the 
Delaware river. This company commenced a 
settlement on the Delaware river at a place 
called Coshutunk (Cochecton, Sullivan county, 
N. Y.), in 1757, which was the first settlement 
founded by the people of Connecticut within 
the territory claimed by them west of New 
York. 

In 1758 the Susquehanna Company again 
made preparations for making a settlement in 
Wyoming, but the unsettled condition of the 
frontier seemed to render it inexpedient, if not 
hazardous, for those intending to settle, to ven- 
ture so far into the wilderness at that time. 

First Settlement in the Wyoming Valley 

In 1760 the cabin of no white man had 
broken the Wyoming forest. The first settle- 
ment in this picturesque valley was made in 
August, 1762, when about two hundred of the 
Susquehanna Company came from Connecti- 
cut, and settled upon the eastern shore of the 
beautiful Susquehanna river, in Plains town- 
ship (then called Jacob's Plains), just above 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



25 



the mouth of a small stream, celebrated afar 
by the name of Mill Creek (formerly Beaver 
brook), just north of the present boundary of 
the city of Wilkes-Barre. Here they erected a 
village of rude log cabins, at a sufficient dis- 
tance from the Indian towns, Wyoming 
(Maughwauwame) and Shawanese, located on 
the flats just below the present city of Wilkes- 
Barre, to prevent any immediate collision of 
their agricultural interest?.. 

The greater part of the valley was yet 
covered with forest, excepting for short dis- 
tances surrounding the Indian towns, where 
the trees had been cut away in the slow pro- 
gress of Indian husbandry. But the new col- 
onists set themselves vigorously at work. They 
felled the timber and erected a sufficient num- 
ber of log houses and cabins for their accommo- 
dation, and before the arrival of winter, had 
cleared and sown large fields of wheat and rye 
upon lands covered with forest trees in August. 
Having now made so favorable beginning, they 
concealed their rude agricultural implements 
in the ground and returned in November to 
their families in Connecticut for the winter. 
Early the next spring they returned to their 
Wyoming settlement with their families, and 
others, bringing some live stock, furniture, pro- 
visions, etc., but little meditating the dreadful 
fate which awaited them. 

The summer of 1763 had been favorable for 
the pioneers. Their various crops on the fer- 
tile plains had proved abundant, and they were 
looking forward with hope to scenes of pros- 
perity and happiness. They extended their 
settlement to the west side of the river, which 
is now Fortj' Fort. 

Indian Troubles 

On the night of April 19, 1763, a number of 
the Iroquois came among the Delaware Indians 
in the garb of friendship, and fired the dwelling 
of Teedyuscung, which was consumed, and the 
venerable Delaware chieftain perished in the 
flames. The culprits charged the crime upon 
the colonists, and the aggrieved Delawares re- 
solved to avenge themselves. On the 15th of 
October they fell upon the unsuspecting pio- 
neers in the fields, killed twenty or thirty of 
them, took several prisoners, and drove off their 
live stock. The following are a few of the 
number killed: Rev. William Marsh, Thomas 
Marsh, Timothy HoUister, Timothy Hollister, 
Jr., Nathan Terry, Wright Smith, Daniel Bald- 
win and wife, Jesse Wiggins, Zeruah Whitney, 
and ilsaac Hollister. Among the prisoners were 
a Mr. Shepherd and Daniel Baldwin's son. The 
survivors who were not captured fled to the 
mountains, while the savages burned their 
hoiTses. The fugitives, destitute of every pre- 
paration for a journey, had no alternative but 



to strike out into the wilderness for a trip of 
two hundred and fifty miles to their old homes 
in New England. For several succeeding 
years the history of the Susquehanna Company 
settlement is a blank. 

The Forty Pioneers. 

Early in the year 1769, the Susquehanna 
Company decided to again take possession of 
the valley. They called a meeting in January 
at Hartford, and regulations for the govern- 
ment of the colony were drawn up, and a com- 
mittee appointed to carry them into effect. This 
committee consisted of Isaac Tripp, Benjamin 
Follet, John Jenkins, William Buck and Ben- 
jamin Shoemaker. The association, in order 
to strengthen their claims, and to expand their 
settlements now appropriated five townships, 
each five miles square, and divided into forty 
shares, as free gifts to the first forty settlers in 
each township. An appropriation of two hun- 
dred pounds (nearly $600.00) was made for 
the purchase of agricultural implements. The 
names of the five original townships laid out in 
the valley were "Wilkes-Barre," "Hanover," 
"Plymouth," "Kings-town" and "Pitts-town." 

In January forty pioneers were sent by the 
Susquehanna Company to the Wyoming valley, 
so long the object of their keen desire, to be 
followed by about two hundred more in the 
spring. On the 8th day of February, 1769, 
they arrived at the place where they had made 
a settlement in 1763, where they found Ogden 
and his men in possession. The forty pioneers 
not willing to use any force to regain possession, 
erected a fort on the west side of the river, op- 
posite Fort Ogden, which was called Fort 
Forty, in honor to the forty sturdy pioneers, 
and several years later was changed to Forty 
Fort. 

The Yankees Imprisoned. 

Stewart and Ogden had but ten men in their 
blockhouse, who despatched a messenger to 
Governor Penn, requesting assistance. But 
after waiting a sufficient length of time without 
receiving reinforcements, decided to recourse to 
stratagem to accomplish what they could not 
effect by power. The Yankees were outwitted 
by the Ogden party, who under the pretext of 
a desire to consult and arrange their difficulties, 
three of the leaders of the Connecticut party, 
viz. : Isaac Tripp, Vine Elderkin and Benjamin 
Follet were induced to enter the garrison, where 
they were arrested by John Jennings, who was 
sheriff of Northampton county, and carried to 
Easton jail, seventy miles away. The prisoners 
were accompanied to Easton by the whole of 
both parties, where they were promptly released 
on bail, and returned to Wyoming. In March 
Jennings made another effort to arrest the Yan- 



26 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



kees, and with a posse of the county, together 
with several magistrates, again marched upon 
Wyoming in an imposing array. The doors 
to the blockhouse, which had been hastily pre- 
pared by the Connecticut people, for defense, 
were broken by Jennings, who succeeded in 
arresting thirty-one persons, all of whom, ex- 
cepting a few who escaped while marching 
through a swamp, were taken to Easton, and 
cast into prison as before. They were again 
released on bail, just in time to be accompanied 
to their Wyoming cabins by the two hundred 
recruits who were arriving from Connecticut. 

Soon after the arrival of the two hundred 
Yankees, they moved to the east side of the 
river, nearly two miles below, and constructed 
a fort near the bend in the river (below the 
bridge at Wilkes-Barre) , which they named 
Fort Durkee, in honor of its commander. Near 
the fort they erected about thirty log houses, 
with loopholes through which to fire if they 
were attacked. Jennings and Ogden again 
raised forces and on the 24th of May marched 
to Fort Durkee, but the works of the settlers 
appeared too strong to justify an attack by so 
small a number of men, and they returned to 
Easton and reported to the Governor that their 
numbers were insufficient to dispossess the Con- 
necticut boys, who now numbered three hun- 
dred able-bodied men. The Yankees were left 
for a short period without being molested, and 
during this interval commissioned Colonel 
Dyer and Major Elderkin to proceed to Phila- 
delphia and endeavor to effect a compromise 
on the question, but Governor Penn refused to 
negotiate, and an armed force, under the com- 
mand of Colonel Francis' was sent to Wyoming 
with orders to demand a surrender of the fort 
and garrison. The summon^ was not obeyed 
and the Colonel, like Sheriff Jennings had done 
before, retreated after surveying the works, and 
presented the facts to the Governor. 

The Yankees Forced to Return to 
, Connecticut 

Early in September, Sheriff Jennings with a 
larg'e force of men, well supplied with small 
arms, a four-pounder and an abundant supply 
of ammunition, after being carefully instructed 
by Governor Penn, to avoid, if possible, the 
shedding of blood, dashed upon the garrison 
with two hundred men, and took Colonel Dur- 
kee and several others prisoners, and drove off 
their cattle and horses found grazing in the 
fields. The settlers were weakened, and becom- 
ing discouraged because of the arrest of their 
leader and loss of their property, they agreed to 
surrender the fort and adjoining buildings, and 
that all should return to Connecticut except 
seventeen and their families, who were to be al- 



lowed to remain and harvest the crops upon the 
ground. The articles of capitulation drawn 
out in due form, were faithfully carried out by 
the settlers, but Ogden, regardless of a solemn 
pledge to respect the rights of property, plun- 
dered the settlement as soon as the settlers had 
departed for Connecticut, leaving the seventeen 
and their families alone. All their live stock 
was seized and driven away, and their houses 
were stripped, depriving the few remaining of 
food and necessary clothing, who were com- 
pelled to wend their way back to Connecticut. 
Thus the year 1769 closed with the Pennsylva- 
nians in possession of the valley. 

The First Blood Shed 

"At last this fair valley was to be made the 
scene of civil war; and in contending for the 
rich prize, the blood of one white man was to 
be spilled by the hand of another white man. 
The parties had exhausted their diplomatic 
skill ; each had sent deputations to the mother 
country, and in turn obtained the most respec- 
table legal decisions in their favor. Nothing, 
seemed left to them but to maintain their claims 
by force." 

The Pennsylvanians Expelled 

In February, 1770, the Connecticut boys, to- 
gether with a number of men from Lancaster 
in Pennsylvania, who were also share holders of 
the Susquehanna Company, again appeared in 
this valley of beauty and trouble, and dispos- 
sessed the Pennsji-lvanians. The Yankees were 
led by Lazarus Stewart from Lancaster, and 
they were all well armed, and Fort Durkee, 
garrisoned by only eight or ten men, was 
easily taken. Ogden was away at the time, and 
the Yankees proceeded to his house and cai> 
tured a piece of ordinance. After hearing of 
the return of the Yankees, Ogden hastened back 
to Wyoming, accompanied by about fifty men, 
by whom he garrisoned his own house, which 
was a strong blockhouse. On the 28th of Feb- 
ruary, the Yankees with fifty men marched to, 
Ogden's stockade and attempted to take him 
prisoner. Ogden had a deputy sheriff with him, 
who, at the head of several men rushed out to 
arrest the assailants, which resulted in a skirm- 
ish, during which several of the Connecticut 
people were wounded and one killed. Find- 
ing that Ogden's men could fire upon them 
from his house, without exposing themselves 
to danger, the Connecticut people retreated. 

Colonel Durkee had returned from Philadel- 
IDhia where he had been imprisoned since he 
\vas captured the September before. Three 
breastworks were rapidly constructed, from 
which the Yankees again commenced firing, 
which was briskly returned. After several 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



27 



days of firing on both sides, the Ogden party 
surrendered upon terms similar to those which 
had been granted to the Connecticut party the 
season before. Ogden had no crops to harvest 
or land to protect, but the agreement was that 
he and all his party should leave the valley, ex- 
cepting six men, who were to remain to guard 
his house and preserve his property. After 
Ogden and his men had left the valley, the 
Yankees seized his property and burned his 
house, remembering the mischief which he had 
done the people from Connecticut the season 
before. Settlers came again, crops were plant- 
ed, and during the summer the Yankees were 
not disturbed. 

The Yankees Again Imprisoned 

After the expulsion of Captain Ogden and 
his men from the valley in the spring of 1770, 
Governor Penn called on General Gage to furn- 
ish regular troops to reinstate him in possession 
of the valley. General Gage quite properly 
declined to allow the use of the king's troops in 
a mere dispute concerning the title to property, 
and Governor Penn was compelled to raise 
forces ,by his personal exertions, which he final- 
ly succeeded in doing. In September his forces 
numbering 140, under Captain Ogden, marched 
to the valley. They entered the valley by 
an unusual route, divided in detachmente 
and surprised the Yankees while at work, 
capturing a portion, and put the others 
to flight. At night they made a sudden assault 
on the fort, which was confusedly filled with 
men, women and children ; and after killing a 
few made prisoners of the rest, and soon after- 
wards sent them to prison at Easton except a 
few who were taken to Philadelphia. The 
Pennsylvanians then plundered the settlement 
and withdrew, leaving a small garrison in Fort 
Durkee. 

The Pennamites Surprised 

In the following December this garrison was 
surprised and the fort retaken by the Connecti- 
cut Company led by Captain Lazarus Stewart. 
"Although the Pennamites were in possession 
of Fort Durkee and were the sole occupants of 
"Wyoming Valley, and John Durkee, Zebulon 
Butler and other New Englanders were being 
restrained of their liberty by the Pennsylvania 
authorities, the Susquehanna Company was not 
yet defeated. On the 18th of December, 1770, 
at Fort Durkee, 

When all the doors were fastened, 

And all the windows shut. 
There was yet one little window, 

And that one was forgot." 

"Without the slightest warning the sleeping 



garrison — too confidently secure, even, to keep 
a sentinel on duty — was aroused about three 
o'clock in the morning by a 'Huzza for King 
George!' and Captain Lazarus Stewart, with 
twenty-eight men, took possession of the fort 
'in behalf of the colony of Connecticut.' Six 
of the Pennamite garrison, leaping nearly 
naked from the parapet of the fort, escaped to 
the mountains, while the others were as un- 
ceremoniously expelled — after their firearms 
had been taken from them — as had been the 
previous Yankee occupants." 

Captain Ogden Returns to the Valley 

A month later, or in January, 1771, Captain 
Ogden again appeared in the valley with the 
Sheriff of Northampton county and a posse for 
the arrest of Captain Stewart. "This 'posse' 
consisting fully of one hundred well-armed and 
equipped men, arrived in Wyoming Valley 
Jan. 18, 1771, and immediately began the erec- 
tion of a strong wooden fort, subsequently call- 
ed Fort Wyoming." Captain Lazarus Stewart 
still _ commanded at Fort Durkee, which was 
garrisoned with about forty or fifty men and a 
few women and children. "Ogden demanded 
the surrender of Fort Durkee. Stewart replied 
that he had taken possession in the name and 
behalf of the Colony of Connecticut, in whose 
jurisdiction they were, and by that authority he 
would defend it." 

The fort was finally fired on by Captain Og- 
den, which was returned, killing Nathan Ogden, 
his brother, and wounding several of his men. 
During that night the fort was evacuated by 
Captain Stewart, and the next day was occupied 
by Captain Ogden. For six months the valley 
remained in the possession of the Pennsylva- 
nians, during which time their number was in- 
creased to eighty-three persons including wo- 
men and children. Fort Wyoming was en- 
larged and strengthened, and all the Penna- 
mites dwelt therein. 

During this time the Yankees were not idle, 
for in March, April and June, 1771, largely- 
attended meetings of the company's sharehold- 
ers were held at Windham, Conn., and plans 
were made for retaking possession of their set- 
tlement at Wyoming. Over one hundred men 
(nearly every one a shareholder in the com- 
pany, and had been at Wyoming at some time 
previously) were enrolled to proceed to the 
much-coveted valley. Each man wa? well 
armed and equipped. They were under the 
command of Captain Zebulon Butler and Capt. 
Lazarus Stewart. 

Captain Ogden's Bold Escape. 

On July 6th of the same year Captain Zebu- 
lon Butler and Lazarus Stewart, with the brave 



28 



HISTORY OF THE AVYOxMING VALLEY 



Connecticut men, entered the valley and at 
once took measures to regain possession. They 
besieged Fort Wyoming, which had been built 
and occupied by Captain Ogden, about sixty 
rods above Fort Durkee. Notwithstanding the 
close and vigligant investment of the fort by 
the besiegers, whose number was constantly be- 
ing increased by recruits from Connecticut, 
Captain Ogden by a bold and cunning strata- 
gem escaped alone and went to Philadelphia 
for assistance, instructing his troops in any 
event to retain the post until his return. 

"His plan was executed with equal courage 
and skill. On the night of July 12th he made 
up a light bundle to float upon the surface of 
the river upon which he secured his hat. Con- 
necting this bundle with his body with a cord 
of several yards in length, he dropped gently 
into the stream and floated down with the cur- 
rent, and the bundle, which presented much 
the most conspicuous object, being intended to 
draw the bullets should it be discovered. It was 
soon discovered by the sentinels, and a brisk 
fire directed upon it from three redoubts. But 
as it appeared to hold the even tenor of its ^yay 
without interruption from the bullets, the firing 
ceased, and the bundle and its owner escaped — 
the latter untouched, but the former and less 
sensitive object pierced with several bullets." — 
Colonel Stone's History, p 176. 

Ogden arrived at Philadelphia without de- 
lay, and presented the situation of the Wyom- 
ing affairs to the Honorable James Hamilton, 
President of the Council, who was again the 
executive officer of the Pehnsylvanians during 
the absence of Governor John Penn, who had 
retired from the colony for a time. A detach- 
ment of one hundred men was ordered to be 
raised to be divided into two companies, one 
under the command of Captain Joseph Morris, 
and the other by Captain John Dick. They 
were to march' to the scene of action by different 
routes, and at different times. Great difficulty 
was experienced in raising the men as before, 
and Captain' Dick, who was to raise the first 
detachment, was compelled to advance with 
only thirty-six men, encumbered by pack horses 
and provisions for the relief of the besieg'ed. 

The Pennamites Fired Upon 
The Yankees were aware of Ogden's escape 
and movements, and every needful preparation 
for the arrival of Capt. Dick and his men, who 
were suddenly fired upon as they were ap- 
proaching the fort, and sixteen of the men, to- 
gether with the entire stock of provisions were 
captured by the Connecticut forces on the 30th 
day of July. Ogden, with twenty of the men 
succeeded in entering the fort. The Yankees, 
elated by their success, kept up a daily firmq 
whenever any person of the garrison appeared 



in view, until the 11th of August, when Cap- 
tain Butler sent a flag to the Pennsylvanians, 
demanding a sun-ender, but they had con- 
trived to send another messenger to Philadel- 
phia, with an account of Dick's misfortune, and 
requesting more assistance. The Government 
was endeavoring to send another body of one 
hundred men, with more .supplies, which gave 
the besieged new courage, and they refused the 
summons. Consequently the Connecticut 
forces resumed firing until Augnist 14th, when 
the garrison surrendered, having been for sev- 
eral days upon short allowance, and being dis- 
appointed in not receiving the promised rein- 
forcements, and their provisions had become 
entirely exhausted. Captain Amos Ogden was 
severely wounded, also several others of the 
garrison were killed and wounded. A detach- 
ment of sixty men under Captain Ledlie had 
arrived within ten miles of the fort at the time 
of the surrender. 

The Pennsylvania forces left the valley, and 
during the remainder of the sunnner and au- 
tumn the Connecticut settlers increased largely 
and made ample ]jreparations for defense, but 
during the succeeding four years they were not 
disturbed, and were left in the quiet possession 
of the valley. 

At no period until 1772, were there more 
than three hundred Connecticut men in the 
valley at one time. 

The First Civil Government 

"By the rapid increase of the population, it 
soon became necessary that some form of civil 
government should be adopted, and the inhabi- 
tants of the valley proceeded to elect a govern- 
ment of their own, which, without doubt, was 
the most thoroughly democratic (supreme 
power vested in the peojsle collectively) that 
has ever existed elsewhere among civilized men. 
They laid out townships, founded settlements, 
erected fortifications, levied and collected taxes, 
passed laws for the direction of civil suits, and 
for the punishment of crimes and misdemean- 
ors, established a militia, and provided for the 
general welfare of the colony." 

December 24, 1775, the valley was again a 
scene of civil war, when Colonel Plunkett, un- 
der orders of Governor John Penn, with seven 
hundred men, well armed and furnished with 
supplies, made an attack upon the Connecticut 
settlers, but they found the vigilant Yankees 
posted in an advantageous position and pro- 
tected by breastworks, and though inferior in 
numbers they gave Colonel Plunkett and his 
forces a warm reception with a loss of some 
killed and several wounded, after which they 
returned to their homes. 

The Revolutionary War having broken out 
on the 19th of April, 1775, the contest for the 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



29 



possession of the valley was suspended until 
after the surrender of Cornwallis, October 19, 
1781. 

Nearly three hundred men from the valley 
enlisted foi' service in the Revolutionary War, 
two companies being organized in the vicinity 
of Wilkes-Barre and sent on the first call. It 
was this drain upon the new settlement that left 
it so unprotected at the time of the Wyommg 
Massacre by Indians and Tories on the memor- 
able 3d of July, 1778. 

The First Pennamite War 

The Pennamite Wars comprised the struggles 
of the Yankees to retain possession of the 
Wyoming lands which had been purchased by 
the Susquehanna Company from the Indians in 
1754; but which were claimed also by the Pro- 
prietaries of Pennsylvania, who were bent upon 
securing the recognition of their own claim, or 
the ejection of the settlers. 

"The first Pennamite War extended over a per- 
iod of three years — from February, 1769 to Sep- 
tember, 1771 ; during which the 'Yankees' had 
been expelled five times, but as often renewed 
the contest, and with ultimate victorj^ The 
close of 1771 found the Susquehanna Company 
ui full possession. In 1772, Wilkes-Barre was 
laid out near Fort Wyoming, which the settlers 
had taken under Col. Durkee, who had com- 
mand in 1769." — Miss Blackman's History of 
Susquehanna County. 

In January, 1769, Amos Ogden, John Jen- 
nings, and Charles Stewart leased of the Pro- 
prietaries of Pennsylvania 100 acres of land, 
and came on and took possession of the im- 
provements made by the Connecticut settlers 
who were driven away by the Indians in 1763. 
Ogden and his party had leased the land for 
seven years, on condition that they should es- 
tablish a trading-house for the accommodation 
of the Indians, and adopt the necessary meas- 
ures for defending themselves, and those who 
might settle under their lease. Thej^ built a 
blockhouse near the mouth of Mill Creek, 
which was called Fort Ogden. 

The Connecticut people returned in the 
spring of 1769, and from that time till the final 
adjustment of the difficulties between the Sus- 
quehanna Company and the Proprietaries of 
Pennsylvania, there was an almost continuous 
series of victories and defeats for each claim- 
ant. 

"It must not be supposed that peaceful meas- 
ures were not first resorted to by the settlers, be- 
fore pitting themselves against a superior force. 
In May, 1769, Col. Dyer and Major Elderkin 
went to Philadelphia and submitted to Benja- 
min Chew, agent for the Proprietaries — a pro- 
position to have the matter in dispute between 



the Susquehanna Company and the Proprie- 
taries, referred either to a court of law or to 
referees to be mutually chosen by the parties, 
and in either case the decision to be conclusive. 
But Pennsylvania would in no wise recognize 
the Connecticut claim. Thirteen years later 
sVich a court ivas convened; but, had the first 
proposition been acted upon, how much blood- 
shed and misery would have been avoided." — 
Miss Blackman's History. 

The Proprietaby Government Ends 

In September, 1776, the Proprietary Gover;i- 
ment of Pennsylvania was superseded by that 
of the State. 

The Second Pennamite War 

Soon afterward magistrates and troops were 
sent into the valley, and measures were taken 
to dispossess the settlers of their lands and im- 
provements. The settlers claimed that only 
the jurisdiction of the territory had been de- 
cided by the decree at Trenton, and that the 
titles of individuals to the soil were not affected 
thereby. The conduct of the soldiers and 
magistrates was from the first exceedingly arro- 
gant and oppressive, and as time went on the 
people came to regard endurance as no longer 
a virtue, and resolved on forcible resistance. 
Upon this they were treated as insurgents, and 
on the 12th of May, 1784, they were plundered 
of their property, and one hundred and fifty 
families were driven from the valley. Such 
was the cruelity with which they were treated 
that the sympathies and indigiration of the peo- 
ple in other parts of the State were aroused, and 
soon the soldiers were discharged, and the set- 
tlers invited to return. Many of the discharged 
soldiers lingered in the vallej^, living by plun- 
der, and on the 20th of July a party of them 
attacked some of the settlers, killing two and 
wounding several. This was followed by hos- 
tilities toward the Yankees, which were resisted 
by them. In the course, of the summer and 
autumn several engagements took place between 
the settlers and the military forces which were 
sent against them, in which several were killed 
and wounded. The people of the State became 
very weary of this contest, and their sympathies 
became more actively enlisted in behalf of the 
Yankees. 

By the middle of October the hostile force 
in the valley numbered only forty men, and so 
unpopular, and even disgusting had the i^ro- 
ceedings against the settlers become, that not a 
recruit could be induced to join them. On the 
approach of winter the commander of these 
forces, finding himself unable to. procure either 
supplies or recruits, discharged his men and 
abandoned the valley. Thus (in 1784) ended 



30 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



the second Pennamite War, which fortunately 
lasted only about one year, and also ended the 
last military demonstration against the people 
of Wyoming, which resulted in the restoration 
to the Yankees of the lands from which they 
had been cruelly driven during the spring of 
that year. 

Pkace Restored. 

During the succeeding two years the people 
were prosperous and happy, and the population 
rapidly increased by the influx of immigrants, 
not only to the valley but to the circumjacent 
regions. Col. John Franklin being the leading 
spirit among them; while on the other side, 
Colonel Timothy Pickering had been appointed 
by Pennsylvania to introduce her laws and sup- 
port her claims in Wyoming. Colonel Picker- 
ing had executed with fidelity and approbation, 
the office of Quartermaster-General of the army, 
and was a native of Massachusetts, and after 
the peace he had settled at Philadelphia. 

The County of Luzerne was erected from 
Northumberland in 1786, and Colonel Picker- 
ing was appointed Prothonotary, Clerk of the 
Peace, Clerk of the Orphans' Court, Register 
and Recorder for the county. The people were 



satislied with the government, and a more 
kindly feeling was springing up between the 
inhabitants of the valley and the citizens else- 
where. 

We copy the following from "Miss Black- 
man's History of Susquehanna County," which 
gives the dates of both, the Connecticut and 
Pennsylvania claims for ownership of the land 
in dispute: 

CONNECTICUT. 
1662. Charter from Charles II. 
1754. Purchase from the Indians. 
1762. Settlement at Wyoming. 

PENNSYLVANIA. 
1681. Charter from Charles II. 
1768. Purchase from the Indians. 
176 9. Settlement at Wyoming. 

There is no dispute as to the above facts and 
figures ; and, to the casual reader, nothing more 
would seem necessary to make clear the validity 
of the Connecticut claim. To explain how 
Pennsylvania claimed to prove her right to the 
land above the Blue Mountains, a few more 
dates must be given : 



CONNECTICUT. 

1662. Pre-emption rights with 
charter, the grant extending "from 
the Narragansett river to the South 
Sea." 

1753. Formation of the "Con- 
necticut Susquehanna Company" 
(and soon after, of the Connecticut 
Delaware Company), with a view to 
purchase the Indian title. 

1775. The Assembly of Connecti- 
cut "manifest their ready acquies- 
cence" in the purchase made by the 
Susquehanna Company, and "gave 
their consent for an application to 
His Majesty to ereot them into a 
new colony." Surveyors sent out, 
but obliged to return because the 
Indians were at war with the French 
against ithe English. 

1769. Second settlement ait Wy- 
oming, by people of Connecticut, 
which, after varying success, at last 
became permanent. 

1782. The Decree of Trenton 
had reference solely ito jurisdiction, 
and not to right of soil, which had 
passed from the government of Con- 
necticut to the Susquehanna and 
Delaware Companies. 



PENNSYLVANIA. 

1681. Charter to William Penn 
not given until "the eastern bounds 
of New York had been decided to be 
the western bounds of Connecticut, 
which restored the land beyond 
those settlements westward, to the 
Crown, and laid them open to a new 
grant.'' 



1736. Deed of the Indians which 
conveyed to Thomas and Richard 
Penn the then proprietaries of Penn- 
sylvania, ithe right of pre-emption of 
and in all the lands not before sold 
by them to the said proprietaries 
within the limits of their charter. 
"Said lands bounded on the north 
by the beginning of the 43 degrees 
of north latitude," or where the fig- 
ures 42 are marked on the map. 

1779. By an act of Legislature, 
the rig'ht of soil and estate of the 
late Proprietaries of Pennsylvania 
was vested in the Commonwealth. 

1782. The Decree of Trenton in 
favor of Pennsylvania. 



The publisher has endeavored to give an un- 
prejudiced account of the controversy between 
the Susquehanna Company of Connecticut and 



the Pennsylvanians, and leave it for the reader 
to judge "for himself, which side was in the 
wrong, or the one the most at fault. 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



31 



'"On the 3rd day of November, 1781, only fif- 
teen days after the surrender of Cornwallis, the 
Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania 
sent a petition to Congress, requesting a deci- 
sion on the question of jurisdiction of the land 
in dispute. Arrang-ements to this effect were 
made, and one year later, November 12, 1782, 
a court composed of five commissioners con- 
vened at. Trenton, who, after a sitting of forty- 
one judicial days, in which the parties, repre- 
sented by their counsel (four gentlemen on be- 
half of Pennsylvania, and three agents from 
Connecticut), had proceeded with their pleas, 
they gave their decision that the territory in 
dispute belongs to the State of Pennsylvania, 
and that Connecticut has no right to the lands 
in controversy." — Blackman's History of Sus- 
quehanna County. 

The Yankees endured many hardships and 
privations during the years intervening be- 
tween 1762 and 1784. They were three times 
driven back to Connecticut, through the wilder- 
ness, a distance of over two hundred miles, but 
they were undaunted, and each time returned 
with renewed courage. Every New England 
settler was driven from the valley five different 
times within twelve years, to find a home in the 
vacant wilderness with their perishing children 
and wives, and during this time nearly every 



male member was carried to the Easton jail, 
where they were fed on bread and water. They 
were chai'ged with no crime that could -be sus- 
tained and were I'eleased to return to their de- 
solated homes. 

Today the "Angel of Peace" hovers over this 
beautiful valley of Wyoming, and one can 
hardly realize that a few years over a century 
ago the soil was reddened by the blood of the 
slain, and long strings of scalps were dripping 
from the belts of the Indians, and their toma- 
haAvks stained with the blood of innocent chil- 
dren and women, and the brave men who 
fought to protect their homes. Now the forest 
is cleared, the dweller in wig wants has bid a 
long farewell to this region so full of. song and 
beauty, beautiful homes have been built where 
once tlae log cabin of the early settlers stood, 
and the fertile fields are producing bountiful 
crops. 

Wyoming valley, taken as a whole, compen- 
sates the tourist in the highest degree for the 
trouble of visiting it. The grand beauty of 
the old Susquehanna river and the sparkling 
current of its blue waters nowhere along its en- 
tire course appears to better advantage than 
here, where on the broad acres of Wyoming, 
humanity wears a smile nowhere more sweet or 
lovely. 



CHAPTER FOUR 



THE PIONEER SETTLERS 



How They Came, Settled and Developed 
THE Resources of the Country 

The first settlement of the Wyoming valley 
was commenced, as elsewhere stated, under the 
auspices of ttie Susquehanna Company in 1762, 
near the mouth of Mill Creek in Luzerne 
county. Then about two hundred, mostly from 
Connecticut, came and began their preparations 
for homes in this region, which was then sixty 
miles distant from any settlement of civilized 
people. They were not the effeminate sons of 
wealthy parents, who had been reared in the 
lap of luxury. From their infancy they had 
by precept and example been taught the in- 
dustry and economy which had enabled their 
fathers to thrive among the rocks and hills of 
their native country. They were the hardy, 
active and ambitious sons of New Englanders, 
and in the exercise of the independent, self-re- 
liant spirit which they had inherited from their 
sires, they left their paternal roofs and sought 
homes in this valley, far away in the untamed 
wilderness of what was then the West. 



Hovsf They Came 

A few brought with them their wives and 
children, and came with oxen and carts, bring- 
ing a few indispensable articles of household 
furniture and driving domestic animals. Most 
of them, however, came on foot, with knapsacks 
on their backs, rifles on their shoulders, and 
axes in their hands. Thus equipped they bade 
adieu for a time to fhe loved ones at home, and 
turned their faces westward to make for them- 
selves homes and fortunes. 

For a time they followed the trail of emi- 
grants who had settled' in other regions, but 
finally they abandoned this, left the borders of 
civilization and struck into the forest. They 
followed Indian trails through forests and 
swamps, and climbed over mountains, camping 
in squads along the roads by night, till ' at 
length they reached the valley, and having se- 
lected their locations commenced preparations 
for the future. Shanties for temporary shelter 
were constructed, clearings were begun ,and 
preparations made for the erection of rude log 



32 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



houses for the shelter of those whom they were 
to bring with them on their return the next 
year. 

While this work was in progress they sub- 
sisted largeljf on the game with which the sur- 
rounding forests abounded, and the fish which 
were taken in great numbers from the river. 
Their neighbors were making similar prepara- 
tions at different points m the valley, and with 
these they often exchanged visits, to talk of 
home and to discuss their plans for the future, 
to anticipate the pleasure which they would de- 
rive from such visits the next year, when they 
would be accompanied by their partners who 
were to share their fortunes and their priva- 
tions. 

They frequently "changed works" in order 
to accomplish some of their various tasks with 
greater facility, and to dissipate the sense of 
loneliness which haunted them as they pursued 
their solitary labors. In this way they occa- 
sionally hired, from those who had brought 
teams, a yoke of oxen, with which to draw to 
their building sites the logs which they had cut 
for their houses, and to "log up" the timber 
which they desired to bum on their clearings. 
Thus passed their first summer in the valley. By 
night they lay in their shanties on their beds 
of boughs and dreamed of the homes they had 
left, or of the future homes which their fancies 
pictured; or in their waking intervals listened 
to the distant howling of the wolf on the moun- 
tain side, and the nearer hooting of the owl. 
Day after day they toiled on, sustained and 
cheered by their hopes of future hanpiness with 
their chosen companions and chilclren in the 
midst of the surroundings which they were 
creating. 

They Retiirn to Connecticut for the 
Winter 

By early autumn their rude houses were 
erected, and partially prepared for their recep- 
tion on their return. Small areas had been 
burned off, and here they "brushed in" their 
first wheat. Larger areas had been cut over 
and made ready for burning and planting the 
next spring. When these preparations were 
completed they deposited in places of safety 
their axes and few other implements, and with 
light hearts turned their faces toward their 
paternal mansions. Thus terminated the first 
summer with many a pioneer in the Wyoming 
valley. As he journeyed homeward the sky 
above him was brighter, and the songs of the 
birds in the forest through which he passed 
were more melodious than ever before, for he 
was returning to the haunts of his early life 
from the scenes of his prospective manhood. 

In due time he arrived among the scenes of 



his childhood and wended his way to the old 
home where parents, brothers and sisters wel- 
comed him warmly, and listened with eager 
attention to the story of his experience in the 
wilderness. He received a still more hearty 
welcome from another, who during his long 
absence had not ceased to think of him by day 
and dream of him by night. She listened to 
the recital of his doings with a deeper interest, 
for to her and him they were matters of equal 
importance. 

A wedding soon occurred, and the last winter 
of the pair in their native State was a season 
of busy preparation for removal to their western 
home, interspersed with social gatherings and 
merry-makings among the scenes and compan- 
ions of their childhood. They sat down to their 
last Thanksgiving dinner with their parents, 
brothers and sisters; attended their last Christ- 
mas and New Year's festivals wdth their former 
playmates and school fellows, and on the ap- 
proach of spring bade all these scenes and 
friends a tearful adieu, and departed for their 
new home, followed by the good wishes of their 
friends, and the benedictions and prayers of 
their parents. 

Their Rude Outfit 

Their outfit consisted of a yoke of oxen and 
a cart, loaded with a few utensils and necessary 
articles of household furniture. They brought 
with them a cow or two and a few sheep, the 
latter to serve as the nuclus of a flock, which, 
if spared by the wolves, was to furnish wool for 
their future clothing. Thus equipped they 
pursued their toilsome journey till at length 
their destination was reached, and they entered 
at once on the realities of pioneer life. 

Their house was made tenable by the few 
preparations which pioneers found necessary 
for their comfort, though open holes in the 
walls at first served as windows and one in the 
roof for a chimney, and a blanket was the door. 
A small spot was prepared for the garden seeds 
which they had brought, their corn field was 
burned off' and planted in due season, and a 
large area prepared for other wheat and corn 
fields. In this the labor of the husband was 
lightened by the presence and encouraging 
smiles, and sometimes by the assistance of his 
young wife. In their solitude they were sus- 
tained by their buoyant hopes of the future, 
and they ever after referred to this summer as 
the happiest period of their lives. 

Their wheat fields gave good returns. The 
few acres which they cleared and planted with 
corn yielded abundantly, and early in the win- 
ter they secured a sufficient supply of venison. 
Their wheat and corn were ground in a "pioneer 
mill" — a mortar hollowed in a stump or in the 
end of a log. A hovel had been constructed of 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



33 



lOgs, and roofed with brush or straw, for the 
protection of their animals against the inclem- 
ency of the weather and the attacks of wild 
beasts. No hay was provided for the cattle, 
but from day to day trees were cut on ground 
that was to be cleared the next summer, and 
they lived on the brouse which these afforded. 
A couple of pigs and a few fowls were fed each 
morning at the door of the house with corn 
from the wife's folded apron. Thus passed 
their first winter in the woods. The soimd of 
the husband's ax echoed through the forest 
during the day, and the wife plied "her evening 
care" in the cheerful glow of the "blazing 
hearth" at night. Their simple fare and active 
exercise in the open air gave them robust 
health, and though their surroundings were 
quite different from those in the midst of 
which they had been reared, this was the home 
which they had made for themselves, and they 
were happy in the enjoyment of it. 

During the summer other settlers had come 
in, some singly, others in companies, with their 
families; and neighbors were more numerous 
and less distant, and the monotony of their life 
was varied by occasional exchanges of evening 
visits among these. This social intercourse 
among the pioneers had none of the bad fea- 
tures which characterized that of later times. 
There were among them no conventionalities, 
no unmeaning expressions of civility, no un- 
kind criticism of each others' dress or surround- 
ings, no rivalries and jealousies, and no hypo- 
critical manifestations of interest in each others 
welfare. Each rejoiced with his neighbor in 
his prosperity or sympathized with him in his 
adversity. "These visits were anticipated with 
pleasure and remembered without regret. 

Prosperity of the Pioneers 

The happy life which the pioneers had com- 
menced was darkened by many shadows, but 
notwithstanding these interruptions a few years 
brought evidence of increasing prosperity. The 
clearing had been enlarged, and a portion of it 
fenced. A stick chimney, plastered with mud, 
filled the hole in the roof; glass had taken the 
place of greased paper in the window ; a plank 
door swung on wooden hinges where formerly 
hung the blanket, and some flowering shrub- 
bery was growing at the side of it. A more capa- 
cious and comfortable stable had been erected 
for the animals. A "worm" rail fence appeared 
around the house and garden, and a log bridge 
had been built across the stream which ran 
near the house. Near the edge of the clearing 
the crackling fire was consuming the trees that 
the men of a logging bee were piling together 
for that purpose. The corn, potatoes, pump- 
kins, etc., which had been planted among the 



stumps had attained sufficient growth to be visi- 
ble from some distance. A calf frolicked at the 
side of its mother, and a litter of grunting 
young porkers asserted their right to life, liber- 
ty, etc. Every thing wore an air of thrift. The 
solitude of the wife was enlivened by the prattle 
of her children, and their playful caresses 
sweetened the labor and lessened the fatigue of 
the husband and father. 

The tide of immigration, the first wave of 
which had borne them hither, continued with 
increasing flow. Settlers came more rapidly, 
the smoke from their hearths curled upward at 
shorter intervals, and clearings encroached more 
and more on the surromiding wilderness. The 
hissing and rushing of the whirlwinds of flame 
were oftener heard as the trees that had been 
felled and had become dry were consumed. 
Small fields of waivmg corn, and here and there 
a verdant meadow were to be seen. The "mu- 
sic" of numerous cow bells was heard and 
"drowsy tinklings lulled the distant folds" 
where sheep were herded to protect them from 
the wolves at night. The hum of spinning 
wheels might be heard in almost every house, 
and the merry laughter and shouts of frolic- 
some children resounded as they gamboled 
through the woods. 

Improvements Made a Few Years Later 

The lapse of time brought with it many 
changes. The old log' cabin, which had sur- 
vived the winds of several winters, had come to 
be only the wing of a new house, that had been 
built of squared logs, covered with a shingled 
roof, lighted by glazed windows, and closed by 
a paneled door. A lawn appeared in front, 
tastefully ornamented with flowers, and fruit 
trees were growing on the former site of the 
garden. An apiary stood on the margin of the 
lawn, which was bounded by a straight fence, 
where the b^isy bees were carrying stores of 
honey. A commodious frame barn had been 
built to replace the old log barn, and where 
forests once stood were fields of waiving grain. 
Beyond the grove of sugar maples could be seen 
the log school-house where, "in her noisy man- 
sion skilled to rule, the comely mistress taught 
her little school." 

The stream that ran by was spanned by a 
newer bridge, and the ding-donging of a saw- 
mill that had been built on its bank could be 
heard in the distance. Horses had taken the 
place of the oxen that had for many years con- 
stituted the pioneer's only team. The land- 
scape has greatly changed. 

The Pioneer's Ways and Means of Living 

Over a century has passed since the first set- 
tlement was made in this region, and changing 



34 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



circumstauces liavo brought with them such 
changes in many of tlie customs of the people 
that one t)f the present generation can form 
only an imperfect conception of what some of 
those customs were, and the hardships endured 
by the pioneers. 

The rude implements and appHances that 
were in use when the coimtry was new were in- 
ventions which grew out of the necessities of 
the times, and were adapted to the circumstances 
in which people found themselves. Time wore 
on, and those circumstances gave place to others. 
Inventions followed these changes; but in many 
cases, as in those of the cast iron plow, the 
grain-cradle and the horse-rake, the inventors 
only lived to see their improved implements 
scoifed at and derided a few years later. Thus 
have people always done, and thus they will to 
a greater or less extent continue to do. 

The first settlers in this region came when 
the primitive forest was growing not only here, 
but in the country through which they had 
passed for many miles. The first roads, which 
were simply widened Indian trails, were then 
barely passable. Of course they could bring 
with them only those articles of household fur- 
niture or those agricultural implements that 
were indispensable. 

The Pioneee's Log Cabin 

The first work of the pioneer was to prepare 
a house, or dwelling place for his family. There 
were no mills for the manufacture of lumber, 
and the first houses were necessarily built of 
logs, fastened by notching at the corners, and 
the cracks filled up with mud. ' They were usu- 
ally from fifteen to eighteen feet square, and 
about seven feet in height, or high enough to 
just clear the head of a tall man. Often no floor 
was at first laid. A fire place was prepared at 
one end by erecting a back of stones, laid m 
mud instead of mortar, and a hole was left in 
the bark or slab roof for the escape of the smoke. 
A chimney of sticks plastered with mud was 
afterward erected in this opening. A space of 
width suitable for a door was cut on one side, 
and this was closed first by hanging up a blan- 
ket, and afterward by a door made with split 
plank and hung on wooden hinges. This door 
was fastened by a wooden latch that could be 
raised from the outside by a string, which was 
passed through a hole above it. When the 
latch string was "pulled in" the door was ef- 
fectually fastened. The expression used of a 
hospitable man — "his latch string is always 
out" — had its origin from this primitive method 
of fastening a log house door. A hole was 
usually cut in each side of this house to let in 
light, and when glazed sash could not be pro- 
cured, greased paper was used to keep out the 
blasts and snows of autumn and winter. 



The Pioneer's Furniture 

Holes were bored at the proper height in 
the logs at one corner of the room, and into 
these the ends of poles were fitted, the opposite 
ends where they crossed being supported by a 
crotch, or a block of the proper height. Across 
these poles others were laid, and these were 
covered by a thick mattress of hemlock or other 
boughs, over which blankets were spread. Thus 
were pioneer bedsteads constructed ; and on such 
a bed many a pioneer couple reposed as sweetly 
as though "sunk in beds of down." In the 
absence of chairs rude seats were made with an 
ax and auger by boring holes in "piincheons" 
or planks split from basswood logs and hewn 
smooth on one side. Tables were often made 
in the same way, and after a time a floor was 
constructed of these "puncheons," with a bare 
space in lieu of a hearth about the fire place. A 
few necessary pieces of crockery, or sometimes 
wooden trenchers, were kept on rude shelves till, 
after a few years, lumber could be procured of 
which to make a cupboard. 

A dinner pot, a dish kettle, a frying pan and 
a bake kettle constituted the entire stock of iron 
ware. The bake kettle — a utensil that is now 
never seen — was a shallow vessel with legs some 
six inches in length, so that it could be set over 
coals on the hearth. It had a cover with the 
edges turned up so that coals could be heaped 
on it. This was used at first for all the baking 
of many a pioneer family. The fire-place had 
instead of the iron crane with which it was 
afterward furnished, a transverse pole, called a 
lug pole, laid across two others so that it could 
be moved backwards and forwards at a sufficient 
height to prevent burning. On this at first 
hooks cut from beech saplings, or limbs, were 
fastened by withes (flexible twigs), but after 
blacksmiths' shops were established these were 
replaced by "trammels" or hooks so constructed 
that their length could be adjusted. 

This room, thus furnished, served all the pur- 
poses of kitchen, drawing-room, sitting-room, 
parlor and bed-room; and not unfrequently 
workshop also, for temporary benches were 
erected, and sleds, ox yokes, and many other 
farming utensils were made and repaired there 
during stormy days or evenings. The light for 
such evening woric was furnished by the blazing 
fire of pine knots which had been gathered and 
stored away for the purpose, or sometimes by 
a "slut," which was made by placing a rag for 
a wick in a dish of "coon's oil," or the fat of 
some other wild animal. 

The Pioneer's Clothing 

Here also, as time went on, were heard the 
raking of the hand cards and the whir of the 
spinning wheel; for in those days the cloth for 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



35 



both the summer and winter clothing of the 
family was homemade, and all the technicali- 
ties of the process from picking the wool to 
"taking out the piece," were as familiar to every 
member of the family as any household word. 

At first, before the establishment of cloth 
dressing mills, the dyeing or coloring, even of 
all the woolen cloth, was done by the pioneer 
wives; and after clothieries made their appear- 
ance everything except "fulled cloth" was color- 
ed at home. The properties and the proper 
method for compounding for different colors of 
Nicaraugua or Nic. wood, logwood, fustic, in- 
digo, madder, copperas, alum, vitriol, etc., as 
well as all the various indigenous barks and 
plants were known to every housewife. The 
old dye tub, which is still remembered by the 
older inhabitants had its place at the side of 
every hearth, where it was frequently used as a 
seat for children in cases of emergency, or when 
the increase of the family was more rapid than 
that of chairs. Peter Parley (Mr. Goodrich) 
called it "the institution of the dye tub, which, 
when the night had waned and the family had 
retired, frequently became the anxious seat of 
the lover, who was permitted to carry on his 
courtship, the object of his addresses sitting de- 
murely in the opposite corner." 

The flax brake, swingling knife and board, 
and hatchel are never seen now, and one of the 
present generation would be utterly unable to 
guess their uses were they shown to him. Then 
the pulling and rotting and all the details of 
dressing flax were known to every child; and 
the process of spinning the flax and tow, weav- 
ing and bleaching the dififerent qualities of 
cloth, and making the thread for all the family 
sewing, was a part of the education of every girl. 
Wild nettles were at first used instead of the 
flax that was afterwards cultivated. The process 
of rotting, dressing, etc., was the same as in the 
case of the flax. Then cotton cloth was not 
manufactured in this country, and it was prac- 
tically beyond the reach of most farmers. 
Woolen goods, other than those of domestic 
manufacture, were seldom seen. A "broad- 
cloth coat" was an evidence either of unpardon- 
able vanity or of unusual prosperity. Even 
the skins of animals were thus utilized for cloth- 
ing. Fawn skin vests, doeskin coats and buck- 
skin breeches were not uncommon. 

How THE Pioneers Prepared their Food. 

It is hardly necessary to speak of the ordinary 
food of the first settlers, such as hasty puddings, 
johnny cake, or corn pones, the meal for which 
was ground in a pioneer mill or a wooden mor- 
tar ; or of the dainties, such as shortcakes, mixed 
with the lye of cob ashes and baked in ashes on 
the hearth, that were set before company. The 



simple and substantial diet of the people then 
was adopted because circumstances would per- 
mit no other. They were too poor to pamper 
their children with sweetmeats, or to stimulate 
them with tea and coffee ; and the incidental re- 
sult was a degree of robust health such as the 
children in later times do not acquire. 

It must not be inferred that all the settlers 
in this region were subjected to severe priva- 
tions. The kind of fare spoken of was not 
looked upon as hard, for it was the best the 
country then afforded. There were instances 
where people were compelled to resort to wild 
roots or greens for a dinner, but these were per- 
haps as rare as are cases of extreme destitution 
now. The condition of the country was such 
that these habits and methods of living were 
necessary, and they were not regarded as hard- 
ships. 

Pioneer Farming 

The agriculture of those times, if agricul- 
ture it may be termed, was such as is never 
seen now. Very few at the present day have 
witnessed the process of preparing the virgin 
soil for the first crop. The timber was often 
girdled in advance, so that when felled, as it 
often was, in what were termed windrows, much 
of it would burn as it lay, being partially or 
wholly dried, by kindling the fire at the wind- 
ward end of these rows. After the first burn 
some of the remaining fragments were "nigger- 
ed" into pieces that could be easily moved, and 
the whole was drawn together with oxen and 
"logged up" for the final burning. Many in 
the neighborhood usually joined in this work, 
and the "logging bees," or "logging frolics," 
were at the same time occasions when work was 
done and social intercourse enjoyed. When the 
burning was completed and the ashes collected, 
the ground was sometimes made ready for the 
seed by harrowing with a three-cornered har- 
row, which was often hewed from a crotched 
tree, with either large wooden pins set at inter- 
vals, or very large and strong iron teeth. Such 
a harrow was drawn over the ground among the 
stumps to fit the soil for its first crop when the 
roots were not sufficiently decayed to permit the 
use of a plow. In using this primitive harrow 
in these clearings the driver found it necessary 
to keep always at a respectful distance, for it 
often bounded from side to side in a manner not 
compatible with safety at close quarters. In 
cases where plowing could be done the old bull 
plow was used. This was an uncouth imple- 
ment, with wrought iron share and a wooden 
moldboard, such as is now scarcely ever seen, 
even among relics of the past. In rare cases a 
wooden plow, hewn out of a crotched tree, was 
used. 



36 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



Their Crops Yielded Abundantly 

The wheat sown or corn jjlanted in ground 
prepared in this rude way often gave good re- 
turns, such was the fertility of the soil before 
it was exhausted by repeated cropping. When 
the crop was grown and ripened, it was cut with 
sickles, a handful at a time. Sickles may oc- 
casionally be seen at the present day ; but there 
are few who ever saw them used. For harvest- 
ing grain among the stumps of the first clear- 
ings the sickle was best adapted of all instru- 
ments, and no other was known ; but when these 
stumps had decayed, and the grain cradle had 
been introduced, many looked upon it as a per- 
nicious invention, claiming that by the use of 
which more than sufficient grain would be 
wasted to pay for the labor of harvesting, and 
some insisted that more could be harvested in 
the same time with the sickle — so strongly are 
people attached to old customs. 

The grain was first threshed with the fiail on 
the ground, and partially separated from the 
cnaff by pouring it from a height in the wind 
and afterwards dextrously manipulating it in 
a "corn fan," a description of which would be 
quite difficult. For many years after barns 
were erected on all farms the flail and the feet 
of horses were the only threshing machines, but 
fanning-mills superseded the old corn fan. 

Hay was cut with the old fashioned scythe, 
which has changed but very little, and the hand 
rake only, was used to gather it. Among the 
stumps and stones in early times these were the 
most available tools, but their use continued 
long after improved implements were available, 
and after such implements had been invented. 

In those days the conveyance most in use was 
the ox-cart. It was made available for almost 
everything, from hauling manure to going to 
meeting or to balls and weddings. Its use was 
thus universal because it was, like the other 
tools spoken of, adapted to existing conditions. 
The rough and stumpy roads almost forbade the 
use of four-wheeled conveyances. 

It seems hardly necessary to call attention to 
the wagons, plows, harrows, threshing machines, 
harvesters, mowers, wheel rakes, etc. of the 
present day, and contrast them with the awk- 
ward and uncouth implements of former times ; 
but if this is done the adaptation of these to 
their existing circumstances should be remem- 
bered, and the additional fact should be borne 
in mind that the improved tools of the present 
day would not then have been available. 

How Business Was Conducted 

During some years after the first settlement 
of this region trade was carried on in a manner 
quite different from the way in which it is now 
conducted. Now all produce has a cash market 



and a cash value; and all the necessaries or su- 
perfluities that are purchased are reckoned ac- 
cording to the same standard. Then there was 
not sufficient money in the country to be made 
the medium of exchange, and trade was carried 
on almost wholly by what was termed barter. 
By reason of this nearly exclusive exchange 
trade, mercantile establishments were quite un- 
like those of the present time. Then every store 
was a commercial microcosm. In it was kept 
everything that the inhabitants required. As 
one who lived in those times says: "Every mer- 
chant kept dry goods, groceries, crockery, glass- 
ware, hardware, dye stuffs, iron, nails, paints, 
oil, window glass, school books, stationery, rum, 
brandy, gin, whiskey, drugs and medicines, end- 
ing with a string of etceteras, or every other arti- 
cle usually kept in a country store. Things 
were sometimes curiously grouped; as, for ex- 
ample, silks and irons, laces and fish, pins and 
crowbars, pork and tea, molasses and tar, cotton 
yarn and log chains, wheel heads and hoes, 
cards and pitchforks, scythes and fur hats." In 
exchange for these the pioneer merchants re- 
ceived almost every article of country produce. 
Coarse grain was converted into spirits at his 
distillery, or that of some one in the vicinity, 
for distilleries sprung up early. Pork was 
"packed," and other kinds of produce were re- 
ceived for goods and sent by teams over the 
turnpike to Easton, and thus to Philadelphia, 
where they were exchanged for the goods that 
were brought back by the same route; and so 
the barter trade was kept up. Some heavy 
articles, such as iron, salt, etc., were brought 
up by boats on the river. Expensive methods 
of transportation necessarily rendered the price 
of goods high and that of produce low, and this 
condition of things continued till better facili-- 
ties for transportation cheapened merchandise 
and increased the price of produce. 

Gradually since that time has trade changed 
till it has reached a cash basis, and along with 
this change has come another important one — 
the "division of business." Now dry goods, 
groceries, hardware, books, drugs, liquors, etc., 
are separate branches of business, and produce 
dealing is separated from all of them. 

Pioneer Factories 

A no less marked contrast is to be seen m 
the manufactures of those articles and the pres- 
ent. Then almost every article and utensil that 
was used was either home made or manufac- 
tured at the shops which sprung up to supply 
the wants of the early settlers. Then, as has been 
stated, the cloth in which every one was clad 
was of domestic manufacture. The spinning 
wheel and the loom were portions of the furni- 
ture of almost every house, and clothieries, or 
wool-carding or cloth-dressing establishments, 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



37 



were as common as grist-mills. Almost every 
hamlet had its tailor's shop, where the knight 
of the shears cut the clothing for the people in 
the vicinity, and, to avoid the responsibility of 
misfits, warranted "to fit if properly made up." 
This clothing was made up by tailoresses, or, as 
the tailors sometimes termed them "she tail- 
ors." The trade of a tailoress was reckoned a 
very good one; for she received for her skilled 
labor two shillings (as currency was then talk- 
ed) per day ; while the price of housework help 
was only four shillings per week. 

Shoemaker shops were abundant also, though 
there were traveling shoemakers who "whipped 
the cat," as going from house to house with 
their "kits" was termed. After the establish- 
ment of tanneries the people were in the habit 
of having the hides of their slaughtered animals 
tanned on shares, and the leather thus obtained 
was worked up by these circulating disciples of 
St. Crispin. 

The ubiquitous tailor shop has disappeared, 
and only here and there is to be seen a solitary 
cobbler's sign. Every village has its shoe and 
clothing stores. 

"Very early it was a portion of the blacksmith 
business to make the nails that were required 
where wooden pins could not be used. Now an 
old fashioned wrought nail is a curious relic of 
the past; and even the rivets, bolts and horse- 
shoe nails that were formerly made upon every 
anvil, are now made by machinery, and furn- 
ished more cheaply and better than they can 
be hammered out Ijy the village blacksmith. 

So of almost everything. Where carpenters 
formerly took lumber "in the rough" and did 
all the work of building a house, now houses 



are almost "ready made," for little is required 
but to put together the parts that are made by 
machinery. 

The wheelbarrows, carts and wagons, and 
even the cradles and cofRns, that were formerly 
made in the shops that sprang up when the 
country was first settled are now made by ma- 
chinery, and sold at rates far lower than those 
at which handmade work can be afforded, and 
the old hand manufactories have gone to decay 
or degenerated into simple repair shops. 

Wild Animals 

In early times wild animals, especially beai-s 
and wolves, and to some extent panthers, were 
sources of great annoyance. It is not known 
that any person ever became a victim to the 
rapacity of these animals, but instances are re- 
corded of terrible frights. Many swine that 
were permitted to roam and feed in the woods 
were killed by bears, and great care was neces- 
sary to protect sheep against wolves. For years 
the slumbers of people were interrupted and 
night was made hideous by the howling of the 
latter. 

It is recorded that during twelve years fol- 
lowing 1808 the aggregate bounty paid for 
the scalps of panthers in Luzerne county was 
$1,822, and during the same time $2,872 for 
those of wolves. Of course during the years 
that preceeded that time these animals were 
more abundant. The howl of the wolf and the 
screech of the panther are not now heard in this 
region. Occasionally a bear is captured in 
the mountains, but the time is not far distant 
when bruin will no more be seen here. 



CHAPTER FIVE 



THE FRONTIER FORTS 

(See Page 7 For Map, Showing Location of Forts, Indian Villages, Etc.) 



This is part of an article written by Sheldon 
Reynolds, M. A., a short time before his death, 
February 8, 1895. He was president of the Wyom- 
ing Historical and Geological Society of Wilkes- 
Barre. Mr. Reynolds died after a long illness, dur- 
ing which this article was written. How well the 
work was done the article speaks for itself, and 
no one could know from its perusal that the hand 
which wrote it could at the last scarce clasp a pen, 
and that the calm and judicial tone which pervades 
the account of the early trials and hardships of our 
forefathers was the expression of one whose life 
was fast ebbing away and who felt himself urged 
by the most pressing necessity to complete a work 
which he knew too well to delay at all would be to 
leave unended. Mr. Reynold's ancestors came from 
Litohfield, Conn., and were among the first settlers 
in the Wyoming Valley. 



Nothing can be found showing that these 
several fortifications were ever subject to attack 
in any warfare with the Indians; though they 
undoubtedly fall within the sense of the desig- 
nation "forts erected as a defense against the 
Indians, etc." ,Tn the years 1772 and 1773 a 
general feeling of alarm and apprehension per- 
vaded the Wyoming settlement. The people 
lived in forts ; they went about their daily work 
with arms in their hands, they strictly enforced 
the law in respect to military duty, and required 
guard mount in each towTiship. This condition 
of affairs was probably owing to two causes: 
The isolated and exposed position of the settle- 



38 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



ment made it liable to attack and at the same 
time deprived it of the hope of assistance from 
any quarter. The warlike Six Nations were 
their neighbors on the north, and, although 
they professed to be friendly, the knowledge of 
their treacherous character and the recollection 
of the massacre in 1763, the act of Indians 
claiming to be friendly, were still fresh in the 
minds of the settlers. Secondly, the likelihood 
of a renewal of the hostilities with the Proprie- 
tary government was nowise remote. The with- 
drawal of their men from the disputed ter- 
ritory since August, 1771, held out no assurance 
of future inactivity. The settlers were liable to 
attacks from either source without warning, and 
they made the best disposition of the means at 
hand for their protection. 

At a meeting of the settlers in November, 
1772, it was ordered that every man who holds 
a settling right shall provide himself with a 
good firelock and ammunition according to the 
laws of Connecticut, "by the first Monday of 
December next, and then to appear complete in 
arms, at ye fort, in Wilkes-Barre, at twelve 
o'clock on said day for drilling as ye law di- 
rects." It was further provided that each town- 
ship shall elect a muster officer and inspector 
and they shall choose two sergeants and a clerk. 
The inhabitants shall meet every fourteen days 
armed and equipped, and in case of alarms or 
appearance of an enemy, they shall stand for 
defense of the town without further orders. In 
October, 1772, it was ordered "that every man 
of the settlers shall do their duty both for guard- 
ing and scouting, or lose their settling right." 
The requirement of keeping guard night and 
day in the fortified places applied to all the 
townships, under the penalty, in case of failure 
or neglect, of losing their settling rights. It 
was in force in 1772 and 1773, and probably 
longer. At this time a stockade was built in 
Plymouth (the location not known), a block- 
house in Hanover, and the fort in Kingston, 
known as Forty Fort was put in a state of re- 
pair. In addition to these nearly every dwell- 
ing was loop-holed and made a place of defense. 
A community so well prepared and alert prob- 
ably escaped an open attack by the Indians 
solely by reason of their readiness to repel it. 

Fort Dukkee 

In April, 1769, soon after their arrival in the 
disputed territory, the Connecticut people set 
about the building of a fort for their better pro- 
tection. They chose a site now within the limits 
of the city of Wilkes-Barre, on the river bank 
between the present streets, South and Ross. 
Here they built of hewn logs a strong block- 
hoixse surrounded by a rampart (an elevation or 
mound of earth) and intrenchment. It was 



protected on two sides by natural barriers; 
having on one side the Susquehanna river, and 
on the other, the southwest side, a morass with a 
brook flowing through it and emptjdng into the 
river near by the fort at a place called Fish's 
Eddy. The size of the enclosure is not known, 
but it was probably of one-half an acre in ex- 
tent, as any place of shelter in time of danger 
of less space would be of little use. The fort 
was looked upon as a strong military defense, 
both from its manner of construction and the 
natural advantages of its position. Near to it 
were built also twenty or more log-houses, each 
provided with loop-holes through which to de- 
liver the fire in case of sudden attack. It was 
named Fort Durkee in honor of Capt. John 
Durkee, one of the leaders of the Yankee forces, 
and who had seen service in the late war with 
France, and afterwards, as a colonel of the Con- 
necticut line on the continental establishment, 
served with merit throughout the Revolutionary 
War. While this fort was erected as a defense 
against the Indians, and doubtless served that 
purpose, there is no evidence that it ever sus- 
tained an attack from that quarter. It was, 
however, one of the strong-holds that played a 
very important part in the contest with the Pro- 
prietary government over the disputed jurisdic- 
tion and title to the Wyoming lands, known as 
the first Pennamite war, beginning in 1769 and 
continuing two years. Shortly after this period 
the name of the fort disappears from the rec- 
ords. Whether it was dismantled or suffered to 
fall into decay is not known. Miner's History 
of Wyoming, page 265, makes a last reference 
to it in these words: "The whole army (General 
Sullivan's) was encamped on the river flats be- 
low Wilkes-Barre, a portion of them occupying 
old Fort Durkee." (This was June 23, 1779.) 
If the fort was at that time in a condition to 
serve any useful purpose, it is difficult to under- 
stand why the people of the town were at such 
pains to build in 1776 a fort for their protection 
on the Public Square, inasmuch as Durkee was 
a much stronger place and quite as convenient, 
or how a work o'f this importance escaped de- 
stmction at the hands of the enemy after the 
battle of Wyoming. The brook mentioned 
above as forming one of the safeguards of the 
fort, has long since disappeared. One branch 
of it had its rise near the place known as the 
Five Points, and the other branch in the Court 
House Square; the later flowed in a southerly 
direction, emptying into a marsh at a point 
near the Lehigh Valley railroad. The stream 
leaving the marsh crossed Main street near 
Wood street, and took a northerly course to 
Academy and River streets, where it was spann- 
ed by a bridge, thence it flowed into the river at 
Fish's Eddy. There has been some question 



HISTORY OF THE AVYOMING VALLEY 



39 



in respect to the location of this fort. Hon. 
Charles Miner, whose recollection of events hap- 
pening prior to the beginning of this century- 
was clear, says in his History of Wyoming, page 
126, that Durkee was located sixty rods south- 
west of Fort Wyoming, and that the remains 
of the latter were in a tolerable state of preserva- 
tion in the year 1800. The site of Fort Wyom- 
ing is well known and the distance of sixty rods 
in the direction indicated, fixes the location of 
Durkee as given above. 

Mill Creek Fort 

This fort was situated on the river bank on 
the north side of the stream of the same name, 
which now forms the northern boundary line 



along the inner walls of the fort which pro- 
vided sufficient room for all who came. The 
community continued to occupy the fort as a 
dwelling place for a considerable period, and 
until the alarm, from whatever source it came, 
had subsided. 

This place was the scene of the first settle- 
ment by the Connecticut people, as well as of 
the tragedy of October 15th, 1763. _ The im- 
provements of the first settlers, consisting of a 
log-house and a few small cabins, were erected 
here. Upon their return in the year 1769,_ they 
made their way thither in hopes of finding a 
place of shelter and defense. The improve- 
ments, however, had fallen into the hands of 
the Pennamites who were secured in a sftrongly 




THE PRESENT SITE OP FORT WYOMING, RIVER COMMON, V^ILKES-BARRB, PA. 



of the city of Wilkes-Bar re. It was built in the 
year 1772, after the cessation of hostilities be- 
tween the Connecticut settlers and the Penna- 
mites. It occupied the site of the Pennamite 
stronghold known as Ogden's Fort, named in 
honor of Captain Ogden, which had been cap- 
tured and burned in 1770. The position was a 
strong one, standing on the high bank of the 
river, protected on two sides by the river and 
the creek. It was designed to guard and con- 
trol the mills upon that stream, as well as to 
furnish a safe retreat to the people of the 
neighborhood. The necessity of the times 
seems to have been pressing, for we are in- 
fonned that the settlers in and about Willces- 
Barre moved into the fort the same year, taking 
Uieir household goods and other personal ef- 
fects along witli them. Huts were erected 



fortified block-house, known as Ogden's Fort, 
and prepared to resist any steps looking to a 
settlement. This historic spot was covered 
in part by a culm heap of the Lehigh Valley 
Coal Company. The tracks of the Lehigh Val- 
ley railroad cross it in one direction, while a 
bridge of the Wilkes-Barre and Eastern spans 
it in another. The pumping station and mains 
of the Wilkes-Barre Water Company and the 
mains of an oil pipe line complete the occupa- 
tion.* 

Fort Wyoming 

This fort was located in the present city of 
Wilkes-Barre, on the river common, about eight 
rods southwest of the junction of Northampton 
and River streets. It was built in .lanuary, 
1771, by Captain Amos Ogden, the able leader 



40 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



of the Proprietary forces, and one hundred men 
under his command. The purpose of its erec- 
tion was the reduction of Fort Durkee, the 
stronghold of the Yankees, and hke Durkee it 
became an important factor in carrying forward 
to an issue the controversy alluded to. In 1771 
it fell into the hands of the Connecticut people, 
lit was not built, as is apparent from the state- 
ment just made, as a defense against the In- 
dians, but seems to have been used for that 
purpose in 1772 and 1773 and later. It was 
this fort doubtless that is mentioned in the 
records of those years, as "the fort in Wilkes- 
Barre" where constant guard was required to 
be kept. After this time, it passes out of notice ; 
no account has come down to us of the manner 
of its destruction or other disposition. It is 
reasonable to suppose that it was not standing 
in 1776, as the people would have made_ use of 
it instead of building a fort in that time of 
need. This fort gave its name to a successor 
built on the same site in 1778, and which be- 
came an important post during the period of 
the war. 

On the 4th of August, 1778, a month after 
the battle, Colonel Zebulon Butler, ordered to 
the command of this post by the Board of War, 
returned to Wyoming with Captain Spaulding's 
Company, being the two Independent West- 
moreland Companies now reduced to seventy- 
eight officers and men, and Captain Smith's 
militia of thirty-four officers and men, and find- 
ing the Wilkes-Barre fort destroyed, and no 
other defensive work capable of sheltering his 
men, and the region still invested by Indians, 
immediately took measures to maintain his po- 
sition. He took posession of a log-hou^ on 
what is now South Main street, near the Picker- 
ing or Ross house and set up around it a strong 
paling built of posts set into the ground about 
three feet and standing ten or twelve feet high, 
provided with loop-holes for firing. This served 
as quarters for the small force until they could 
rebuild Fort Wyoming. The presence of this 
company in the valley gave some sense of se- 
curity to the returning fugitives, a number of 
whom joined the soldiers in the work of build- 
ing the fort. 

The fort was built of logs, on the site of the 
old Fort Wyoming on the river bank. Two 
parallel walls seven feet high and four feet 
apart were placed horizontally and framed to 
each other at proper distances; the space be- 
tween the two was filled with well tamped earth. 
The walls were protected by a ditch, and beyond 
the ditch tops of trees with branches carefully 
sharpened were set in the ground, forming a 
kind of Cheval-de-frise. Within the inclosure 
a low platform was erected along the walls on 
all sides, standing upon which the men were 



able to fire their guns over the top. A single 
four-pound gun was mounted in the works and 
in order to insure its greatest efficiency in time 
of need, openings were made in each of the 
walls, thus enabling the defenders by changing 
the location of the piece to turn its fire in any 
direction. The walls were rounded at the cor- 
ners so as to flank on all sides, and a gate 
opened toward the west. Access to a copious 
spring at the margin of the river was had by a 
protected way; the inclosure contained about 
half an acre of land, and barracks were provided 
for the garrison. The fort was enlarged and 
strengthened afterwards. The garrison was in- 
creased as appears (Sept. 1, 1778) by Captain 
Bush and company of eighty-five men and 
Lieutenant Gore's company of eight, and was 
thereby enabled to send a company of men, the 
Wyoming Volunteers, to the West Branch to 
reinforce the battalions imder Colonel Hartley, 
of the Pennsylvania line, in his expedition to 
Sheshequin, in September, 1778, to destroy the 
Indian settlement, which had served as a base 
of supplies for the savages in their frequent 
attacks on Wyoming. The expedition having 
accomplished its purpose, returned to Sunbury 
by way of Wyoming, when the garrison was in- 
creased by the Wyoming Company and a small 
detail from Col. Hartley's regiment, making m 
all about one hundred and forty men on Oct. 
3, 1778. Included in this number were the 
remnants of a company under Lieutenant Gore, 
and Captain Smith's militia. This expedition 
marched three hundred miles in two weeks, de- 
vastated Queen Esther's country, and defeated 
the Indians in several skirmishes. 

Wilkes-Bakre Fort 

Wilkes-Barre Fort was located in the south- 
west comer of the Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. 
(occupied the ground covered in part by the 
old court house which was torn down in 1909, 
after the completion of the new edifice of jus- 
tice, erected on the river common. The stone 
recently erected in the public square to mark 
the four points of the compass stands upon the 
site of this fort.) This fort was built in pur- 
suance of the vote of the town meeting of Au- 
gust 24, 1776, but it was not finished until 
1778. The court house and jail of Westmore- 
land county were also located here, and this 
place seems to have been selected for the build- 
ing of the fort with the view of protecting these 
buildings by enclosing them within its walls. 
The walls were of a double row of logs set up- 
right in a trench, in the same manner as those 
of Forty Fort were constructed, and reached to 
the height of sixteen feet above the ground. 
The structure contained an area of about one- 
half an acre, and was in the form of a parallelo- 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



41 



gram, with flanking towers at the angles, and 
was provided with a single gateway opening to- 
ward the river, northwest. The sides were 
pierced with loop-holes to enuble the garrison to 
deliver its fire without exposure; and one four- 
pound gun was mounted on the rampart, but, 
inasmuch as there happened to be no suitable 
ammunition, it served as an alarm gun only. 
Barracks or huts were built along the walls 
within the works, which, together with the 
room afforded by the public buildings, were suf- 
ficient to shelter the occupants. The work was 
surrounded by a ditch. The water supply was 
taken from a spring either within the enclosure 
or near at hand. 

A large number of women and children were 
crowded into this shelter on the eve of the bat- 
tle, with but a handful of men for their protec- 
tion. The necessity of a large garrison was not 
so pressing in this case, perhaps, as in some 
others, owing to the muster of the militia at 
Forty Fort, three miles north, on the opposite 
side of the river, and directly in the line of the 
advance movement of the enemy. A few of 
the survivors of the battle made their escape to 
the Wilkes-Barre fort, bringing word of the 
battle. During the night plans were made for 
flight; and on the morning of the 4th many of 
the occupants of the fort set out, empty handed, 
on their long and perilous journey through the 
wilderness. On the same day the savages were 
in possession of the fort. There seems to have 
been no formal surrender, as the articles of 
capitulation of Forty Fort included this also. 
During the day the fort was abandoned, and a 
band of savages seeking plunder entered it and 
set it on fire, reducing to ashes both the fort and 
public buildings. 

Winteemoot's Fort 

This fort was situated in Exeter township, be- 
tween Wyoming avenue, in the present bor- 
ough of Exeter, (Sturmerville) and the Susque- 
hanna, about eight rods from the river. It 
consisted of a stockade surrounding a dwelling 
house, and was built prior to the time of hold- 
ing the town meeting in August, 1776, by the 
Wintermoots, a numerous family who had lived 
in that neighborhood for some time. They had 
fallen under the suspicion of their neighbors 
by reason of various circumstances, which led to 
the belief that the family were Tories and in 
communication with the enemy. The building 
of the fort had not been sanctioned by any one 
in authority and this circumstance deepened the 
distrust with which they were looked upon; 
though no facts were at hand that might con- 
firm the suspicion or serve as groimds to support 
charges against them. This state of affairs, 
however, was enough to put the inhabitants on 



their guard, and led to the town meeting of Au- 
gust, 1776, which required that all forts should 
be located by the committee, in order that there- 
after, no one who was under suspicion should 
be permitted to build a fort. The fort was un- 
der command of Lieutenant Elisha Scovell, and 
at the approach of the enemy it sheltered a few 
families of the neighborhood. At the command 
to surrender a feeble show of resistance was 
made, but all serious efforts of defense were op- 
posed by the Wintermoots who said that Major 
John Butler, the commander of the enemy, 
would find a welcome there. 

On the evening of July 1, the enemy en- 
camped on the mountain nearly opposite this 
fort and within two miles of it. Parties of the 
enemy passed in and out of the fort during the 
night; the next morning the gates were thrown 
open and possession given up. It is probable 
that the enemy here learned the number and 
disposition of our forces, our defensive works, 
locations and the quantity of plunder that 
would fall to the lot of the savage ally. This 
fort became the headquarters of Major Butler. 
The capitulation was made on the following 
terms : 

"Wintermoot's Fort, July 1, 1778. 
"Art. 1st. That Lieutenant Elisha Scovell 
surrender the fort, with all the stores, arms and 
ammunition that are in said fort, as well pub- 
lic as private, to Major John Butler. 

2d. That the garrison shall not bear arms 
during the present contest, and Major Butler 
promises that the men, women and children 
shall not be hurt, either by Indians or rangers." 

On the 3d of July at about the time our troops 
were forming their line of battle, the fort was 
seton fire and consumed. No motive has been 
assigned for the act; wheher it was by design 
or accident is not known. It seems probable 
that Major Butler studied to have it appear 
that the Wintermoots were looked upon by him 
as belonging to our side ; it might be of service 
to them in the future. This view would account 
for the unnecessary formality of articles of ca- 
pitulation _ in the surrender of their fort and 
also for its destruction. The Wintermoots 
joined the enemy and in their company with- 
drew from the valley a few days later, and re- 
ceived the reward due them for this treachery. 

Colonel Zebulon Butler, in his report of the 
battle refers to this fort in the following words : 
"In the meantime (July 1-3) the enemy had 
got possession of two forts, one of which we 
had reason to believe was designed for them, 
though they burnt both." All the authorities 
concur in the belief that the Wintermoots were 
in secret communication with the enemv, and 
that the fort was built with the ultimate pur- 



42 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



pose of giving it up to them and to aid and 
abet their cause. 

Forty Fort 

The site of this stronghold is in the borougli 
of the same name on the southerly side of the 
line of the junction of River street with Fort 
street. Standing on the high western bank of 
the Susquehanna it was admirably situated to 
command the river at this point. It derived its 
name from the forty pioneers who, having been 
sent forward from Connecticut in 1769 by the 
Susquehanna Company to take possession of the 



mensions. Opinions differ as to its size, the 
better authority seems to be that it enclosed an 
acre or more of ground; indeed, excavations 
made a few years ago disclosed the remains of 
the timbers in place, extending in one direction 
two hundred and twenty feet, indicating in con- 
nection with other circumstances an inclosure 
of at least an acre. The walls of this fort were 
of logs, the material generally used in such de- 
fenses. These were set upright in a trench five 
feet in depth, extending twelve feet above the 
surface of the ground, and were sharpened at 
the tops. The joints or crevices between the 




FORTY FORT, 1778 
Drawn by Judge Dana from description. Courtesy of Vl^yoming- Historical Society 



land in its behalf, were rewarded for their ser- 
vices by a grant of the township of Kingston, 
and from this circumstance known likewise as 
the township of the Forty, and the Forty town, 
within which the fort was located. The build- 
ing of the fort was begun in the year 1770, and 
served as a place of security in time of danger 
and alarm. At a later period it seems to have 
been partly destroyed, or at least left in a con- 
dition not fitted for guarding as the law^at the 
time required, for we learn that in 1772 and 
1773 the Kingston men were ordered to mount 
guard in the" fort at Wilkes-Barre until they 
shall build fortifications of their own. (From 
Westmo7rJand Records.) In 1777, under di- 
rection of the committee it was partly rebuilt, 
adding much to the i-trength, as well as its di- 



upright logs were protected by another tier of 
logs planted and secured in like manner, thus 
forming a double wall. Barracks or huts were 
built along the walls within the fort for the 
shelter of the occupants. The roof of these 
buildings served as a platform from which the 
garrison could defend the works, and the space 
in the centre, surrounded by the barracks, was 
used as a parade. The inclosure was rectan- 
gular in shape, having a gateway opening to- 
wards the north and another towards the 
south, and small sentry towers at the four 
corners rising a few feet above the walls. 
A cold flowing spring at the margin of the river, 
below the structure, supplied water to the fort. 
Access to the spring was rendered safe by means 
of a sunken passageway, having the top protect- 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



43 



ed by timber work, leading down from the fort. 
A water supply was always one of the controll- 
ing influences in the location of a work of this 
character. This was true in the case of the 
several forts in Wyoming ; some contained with- 
in their walls running water, others had springs 
near at hand as in the present instance. 

During the last days of June, 1778, when it 
became known that the enemy in great force 
was approaching Wyoming, the inhabitants 
generally sought the protection afforded by the 
several forts. Probably the largest number 
gathered at Forty Fort, owing to its larger di- 
mensions and promise of greater security. Here 
nearly four hundred, made up of six companies 
of militia, the train bands, and old men and 



the encroachment of the current. Through 
the laps of years a large part of the bluff has 
been washed away, and a considerable part of 
the site is now the river's bed. 

The structure was a stockade built around 
and in connection with the dwelling house of 
John Jenkins, (a Yankee) hence its name. 
The stockade part was built in the usual man- 
ner by planting upright timbers in a trench of 
proper depth; these uprights were sharpened 
at the tops, and in this case, owing to their 
small size doubtless., "were fastened together by 
pins of wood and stiffened with two rows of 
timbers put on horizontally and pinned to the 
uprights inside, thus stiffening and uniting the 
whole into a sustantial structure." 




RIVER AND FORT STREETS, FORTY FORT. 
Showing the Location of the Old Fort. 



boys, "chiefly the undisciplined, the youthful, 
and the aged, spared by inefficiency from the 
distant ranks of the Republic." 

This fort was not demolished, and a few years 
later was put in repair and garrisoned for a 
short time. 

Jenkins' Fort 

This site was fixed by the committee before 
mentioned under resolution of the town meet- 
ing of August, 1776, and the building was be- 
gun soon after that date. Being in the neigh- 
borhood of Wintermoot's Fort it was looked 
upon as a counter-check to that structure — and 
this may have been the reason it was speedily 
finished. It was situated in Exeter towniship, 
within the present limits of the borough of 
West Pittston, near the Pittston Ferry bridge. 
Standing upon the top of the high bank, and 
overlooking the river, the place was subject to 



Several families were gathered within this 
inclosure on the evening of July 1st for the pro- 
tection it seemed to promise. Immediately 
after the surrender of Wintermoot's Fort a de- 
tachment of the enemy under command of Cap- 
tain Caldwell of the Royal Greens was sent to 
reduce the place. The garrison consisted of but 
eight available men, and no effectual resistance 
being possible, surrendered the fort under the 
following terms: 

Fort Jenkins, July 1, 1778. 

"Between Major John Butler, on behalf of 
his Majesty King George the Third, and John 
Jenkins. 

"Art. 1st. That the fort with all the stores, 
arms and ammunition be delivered up imme- 
diately. 

"2d. That Major John Butler shall preserve 
to them, entire, the lives of the men, women and 



44 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



children." 

Like Wintermoot's Fort, it was burned dur- 
ing the battle two days later. 

PiTTSTON Fort 

Pittston Fort was situated in the township of 
the same name on the east bank of the Susque- 
hanna river, now within the limits of the city 
of Pittston, between Main street and the river. 
It is nearly opposite the site of Jenkins' Fort. 
The original defensive works that occupied this 
space were built imder the authority of the pro- 
prietors. 

At a meeting of the proprietors and settlers, 
held in Wilkes-Barre, May 20, 1772, it was 
voted: "That ye Proprietors belonging to ye 
Town of Pittston have ye liberty to go into 
their Town, and there to forty-fie and keep in a 
body near together, and Guard by themselves 
until further notice from this Committee." 
(from Westmoreland Records.) In accordance 
with this vote the proprietors of the township 
laid out the lot mentioned, for the purpose of 
a fort. Each proprietor seems to have had the 
right of building a house upon the lot suited for, 
his defense in case of attack, and following a 
general plan in respect to size and location, 
which, when completed would form a fortifica- 
tion of quite large dimensions, and that might- 
withstand the assaults of a large force. The 
fort was composed of thirty-five houses of uni- 
form size, built of logs, the houses "standing in. 
the form of a pyramid or triangle, the base of 
which was formed by the river ; each one being 
placed three feet within the other, on the upper 
side, so that the rear of every successive house 
could be defended from the preceeding one. 
There was a space betwen the houses which 
formed the base and those which formed the 
sides of the pyramid, with a large gateway 
which was flanked wth pickets at each end. 
The houses on the upper side faced toward the 
river, and those on the river side faced toward 
the hill or the inclosed area. Those that were 
next to the river were constructed so as to guard 
against an attack from the Indians creeping 
along the bank. The house at the apex of the 
triangle was situated on the highest ground and 
overlooked not only the fort but the river and 
surrounding countrJ^ On the top of this house 
was a promenade for sentries. The houses were 
so constructed as to communicate from the one 
to the other in the upper story. Along the 
north corner there was a stream of water from 
which the inhabitants of the fort received their 
supply." — Proc. & Coll. Wyoming Hist, and 
Geolog. Society, 11, 78. 

There is some doubt as to the time the fort 
was finished in accordance with this plan. Tt 
was begun in 1772 as before stated; in 1774 



several of its houses were finished. The tri- 
angle, however, was not completed until 1779, 
or perhaps later. It is certain the fort was fin- 
ished in the manner described soon after 1779, 
and remained in use a number of years.. In 
1778 the people of the neighboi-hood were shel- 
tered in three block-houses surrounded by a 
stockade built in the usual way — this being a 
portion only of the fort with the stockade added 
as a temporary defense. By this disposition it 
would be capable of being defended by a smaller 
garrison, and also furnish enough room during 
the emergency. 

All the families living in Pittston and its 
neighborhood were assembled within this en- 
closure during the battle of Wyoming. The gar- 
rison consisted of about forty men under the 
command of Captain Jeremiah Blanchard, and 
comprised one of the companies of the 24th 
regiment that did not take part in the battle. 
The responsibility of protecting the women and 
children under their charge outweighed every 
other consideration. It is said also that Major 
Butler immediately upon his arrival gave 
orders for the collection and guarding of all 
craft upon the river thereabouts, making com- 
munication with the opposite bank impossible. 
From their station in the fort the people could 
'.see the enemy on the other side, and were witr 
1, nesses to the battle and flight from the field, as 
' well as to the unspeakable methods of torture 
practiced on the prisoners the night following 
the battle.. 

On the 4th of July the fort was surrendered 
on the same terms granted to the other forts, 
and assurance of the safety of the lives of the 
occupants. The Indians placed a mark of black 
paint on the faces of the prisoners, in order that 
they might be known and saved from harm, as 
the savages asserted; and telling them fur- 
ther, in case they went outside the fort, each 
should carry a piece of white cloth for like pur- 
pose. The scenes that were enacted at Forty 
Fort were repeated here ; the savages plundered 
the people of all they possessed. As soon as 
possible after the surrender most of the inmates 
of the fort fled to the settlement on the Dela- 
ware, and made their way thence to their former 
homes in New England. A few, however, as 
happened at Forty Fort, detained by sickness, or 
other causes, remained in the fort two weeks 
after the battle, subject to the constant terror 
and molestation of the hordes of savages that 
infested every place. After the fort was deserted 
it was partly burnt by the vagrant Indians ; but 
within two years thereafter it was restored and 
the plan before described was carried out, mak- 
ing an extensive and strong defensive work. 
The houses of the forts being the dwellings o.f 
the proprietors, the garrison therefore comprised 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



45 



most of the inhabitants of the township. The 
fort remained standing until some years after 
the close of the war, when the buildings were 
removed and the fort lot became a common, and 
was used for several years as a public parade. 

The Redoubt 

This was the name given to a rocky spur 
that projected at right angles across the river 
common from the main hill about ten rods 
above Union street, near the new court house 
(in Wilkes-Barre) . ,Its precipitous sides reach- 
ed nearly to the edge of the river bank. Stand- 
ing some seventy feet above the water it was a 
prominent land-mark, and an advantageous po- 
sition in the local military operations. On the 
occasion of siege of Fort Wyoming in 1771 a 
gun was mounted here by the Yankees; and 



of the rest of the common and down to the city 
grade. The name, however, has always adhered 
to it, and although no vestige of the eminence 
remains, the "Redoubt" is a familiar name that 
still marks the spot. 

Stewart's Block House 

The Stewart block-house was situated in Han- 
over township, a few rods from the bank of the 
Susquehanna river, on a slight rise of ground, 
on lot No. 3, First Division. It was built by 
Captain Lazarus Stewart in the year 1771, and 
is said to have been the first building in the 
township. It was built of logs and was one and 
a half stories high. It contained four rooms 
on the first and ample space in the floor above 
for convenience of its defenders. The part 
above the second floor projected beyond the 




STEWART'S BLOCKHOUSE 
(Courtesy of Wyoming Historical Society) 



though no execution seems to have been done, 
the practice was doubtless of benefit. Again, 
in 1784, during the second Pennamite war, a 
like use was made of the eminence by the Con- 
necticut people. They took possession of the Re- 
doubt, which lay between the fort and the grist 
mills on Mill Creek that were also in the hands 
of the Pennamites, and thereby cut ofi" the sup- 
plies of the fort. However well the Redoubt 
was situated for the uses mentioned, its location 
in respect to the march of modem improve- 
ments was quite unfortunate; it seems to have 
been planted directly in its path. The North 
Branch canal, by a sweeping turn at this point, 
sheared off of the rocky faces of the barrier. 
The extension of River street cut a deep channei 
through it in another direction, severing it from 
the main hill. The Lehigh Valley railroad, 
successor to the canal, to obtain room for its 
tracks, took off another portion, and the city 
deported the remainder, bringing it to the level 



walls of the first story; this overshoot, as it 
was called, enabled the occupants of the house 
to protect the walls from assault of an attack- 
ing party, in a manner as effective as from 
flanking towers. A number of families were 
gathered there on the 3d and 4th of July, 1778. 
After the battle, they, in common with all 
the inhabitants, departed from the valley. 
This block-house was occupied by the people of 
Hanover upon their return, and afterward, un- 
til peace was proclaimed. It afforded a safe 
retreat for the families of the place in time of 
alarm. A band of Indians made an attack 
upon it in June, 1781. The house was defend- 
ed with great spirit, the women taking an active 
part in the defense. The attacking party was 
repulsed with some loss and were pursued by a 
detachment sent from the fort at Wilkes-Barre. 
There was another block-house in this town- 
ship, some distance south of Stewart's on lot 
seventeen or eighteen, occupied as a dwelling 



46 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



by Roswell Franklin. Its exact location is not 
known. It was several times the object of attack 
by the savages, and in April, 1782, Franklin's 
wife and several of the younger children were 
earned away. 

A third block-house was situated in the pres- 
ent limits of Plains township, called Rosen- 
cran's block-house. On the approach of the 
enemy prior to the battle of Wyoming, the in- 
habitants of the neighborhood gathered at this 
house. Owing to the weakness of the work 
and the lack of means of defense, it was deemed 
unsafe to remain there, and the people sought 
other places of refuge, part of them crossed the 
river to Forty Fort and others went to Wilkes- 
Barre Fort. 

The Number Occupying the Forts 

There is no record of the number of the peo- 
ple who were gathered within the forts and 
block-houses. One intelligent witness who was 
in Forty Fort, says of that place "the settlers 
generally moved into the fort, it was crowded 
full." From the circumstances it is reasonable 
to conclude that the other forts were also crowd- 
ed full. 

The population of the valley may he ascer- 
tained by taking the original list of taxables in 
the central townships for 1777, and multiplying 
by six. This figure is selected in making the cal- 
culations, because of its, general use at that day 
for similar estimates under like conditions. 



Kingston had 9 2 taxable, multiplied by six is 552 

Wilkes-Barre had 99 taxables, by six is 594 

Pittston (and Exeter) had 99 taxable, by sdx is 59 4 

Plymouth had 113 taxable, by six is 678 

Hanover had 82 taxables, by six is 492 

A total of 2,910 

Deducting 200 absent in the Continental 
Army, and nearly 300 engaged in the Wyoming 
Massacre, we have over 2,400 non-combatants 
in the valley. 

Much of the greater part of the residents of 
Plymouth, and probably all of Hanover sought 
shelter in their own block-houses. All the 
others, more than 1,400 gathered into the three 
forts at Wilkes-Barre, Forty Forty and Pitts- 
ton. Of these, from the evidence adduced, it is 
believed there were 700 in Forty Fort, 400 in 
Wilkes-Barre and 300 in Pittston. 

In ascertaining the number of fugitives after 
the disaster, it is necessary to include the people 
in the outlying townships, Capouse, Hunting- 
ton and Salem, who seemed so far removed from 
danger that they did not seek the forts, but 
joined in the exodus, thus swelling the total to 
over 3,000. Most of the fugitives turning from 
the desolated valley plunged into the wilder- 
ness, wandering in the marshes as chance or 
fear directed, without clothing, or food or guide, 
seeking their way to the Delaware and thence to 
Connecticut. So great a number perished from 
hunger and exhaustion, that these swamps have 
since been called the "Shades of Death." 



CHAPTER SIX 



-,.«; 



THE WYOMING MASSACRE 



The year 1778 brought great distrust and 
fear to the frontiers generally, but particularly 
to Wyoming. The defeat and surrender of 
Burgoyne at Saratoga (Oct. 17, 1777) had left 
the British without sufficient available force in 
America to carry on a regular campaign for 
that year, and, as the war was to be continued, 
the only resource left to the British government 
and her commanders, was to employ the In- 
dians and Tories almost exclusively, in carry- 
ing on a war of desolation on the frontier. This 
was their declared policy, and it was at once 
suspected and feared that Wyoming would be 
among the first to be attacked, for none were 
so hated and exposed as the people on the Sus- 
quehanna. They had been among the first to 
declare against British usurpations, and had 
been the most active and earnest in supplying 
men and means to support that declaration. 

As early as May, 1778, it was expected from 



the appearance of Indian scouts in the vicinity 
that an attack on the Wyoming valley was 
meditated, and these suspicions were confirmed 
when, on the 2nd of June, Lieutenant John 
Jenkins, who was captured by the Tories a few 
months before, and turned over to the Indians, 
who had taken him to Niagara and afterward 
to Montreal, where he escaped and returned. 
He informed the settlers that the plan had 
been formed at Niagara to invade the frontier. 
At about the same time an Indian spy who 
came into the settlement was made drunk, and 
while in that condition revealed the fact that an 
attack on the valley was soon to be made. 

In the later part of June it became known 
that the forces of the enemy were concentrating 
at Newtown and Tioga, preparatory to a descent 
on the valley. These forces consisted of about 
400 British and Tories, under Major John 
Butler, and 400 or 500 Indians, largely com- 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



47 



posed of Senecas. They descended the Susque- 
hanna and landed not far from the mouth of 
Bowman's creek, where they remained until 
they were joined by about 200 more Senecas, 
who had been to tlie west branch of the Sus- 
quehanna river. They left their large boats 
here and passed with the smaller ones down to 
the "Three Islands," fifteen miles above the 
valley. They marched thence to the mouth 
of Sutton's creek (Corey creek), where they en- 
camped by a spring. 

Indian and Tory Hostilities 

During the month of June several acts of 
hostility by the Indians and Tories occurred. 
On the 5th there was an alarm from Indians 
and six Tories coming in the neighborhood of 
Tunkhannock, and taking Elisha Wilcox, 
Pierce and some others prisoners, and robbing 
and plundering the inhabitants of the neigh- 
borhood. 

News of this incursion was brought to the 
Valley on the night of the 6th, and on the 7th, 
although Sunday, the inhabitants completed 
and strengthened their fortifications. On the 
7th there was an alarm form Shawnee. On the 
12th William Crooks and Asa Budd went up 
the river to a place some two miles above Tunk- 
hannock, on the west side of the river, formerly 
occupied by a Tory named John Secord, one 
of the committee of inspection appointed Aug. 
8, 1875, who had been absent at Niagara since 
the fall before. Crooks was fired upon by a 
party of Indians and killed. On the 17th, a 
party of six men, from Jenkins' Fort, in two 
canoes, went up the river to observe the move- 
ments of the enemy. The party in the forward 
canoe landed about six miles below Tunkhan- 
nock, on the west side of the river, opposite 
LaGrange, or Osterhout, and ascended the 
bank. They saw an armed force of Indians and 
Tories running toward them. They gave the 
alarm, returned to their canoe, and endeavored 
to get behind an island to escape the fire of the 
enemy, which was being poured in upon them. 
The canoe, in which were Miner Robbins, Joel 
Phelps and Stephen Jenkins, was fired upon 
and Robbins killed and Phelps wounded. Jen- 
kins escaped unhurt, although his paddle was 
shot through and shivered to pieces in his 
hands. In the party that fired upon the canoe 
was Elijah Phelps, the brother of Joel and 
brother-in-law of Robbins. Captain Hewitt, 
with a second party, went up the river on the 
26th, and returned on the 30th of June with 
news that there was a large party of Indians and 
Tories up the river. 

Unfortunately, Captain Hewitt did not re- 
turn to Jenkins' Fort to warn the occupants of 
the impending danger until after the Hard- 



ings and Hadsalls had left the fort that morn- 
ing and gone up the river to their work. In 
this gToup were Benjamin Harding, Stukley 
Harding, Stephen Harding, Jr., John Gardner 
and a boy named Rogers (about eleven years 
of age), James Hadsall and his sons, Janies 
and John (the later a boy), with his sons-in- 
law, Ebenezer Reynolds and Daniel Carr, to- 
gether with Daniel Wallen and a negro, named 
Quocko (twelve in all), went up the river about 
five or six miles (above Sutton's creek), to their 
work, some of them, particularly Benjamin and 
Stukley Harding, taking their guns. The 
Harding?, with Gardner and the boy Rogers, 
worked in the cornfield of Stephen Harding, Jr., 
the Hadsalls and the others, part in Hadsall's 
cornfield, on an island, part in his tanyard, 
close at hand, on the main land. 

"Towards evening, Michael Showers, or 
Shores, and Jacob Anguish, or Ankers, two 
well-known Tories, came to Stephen Harding's 
cornfield, and told them they might call in 
their sentries and they would stand guard for 
tnem. Suspecting them of treachery, and that 
danger threatened, Stephen went at once to 
get the horses and make for home. When the 
Tories saw what Stephen was doing, they left 
to give information to the Indians and TorieSj 
who were not far off in a large body." 

"When Stephen returned with the horses, he 
saw that his brothers had quit work and passed 
down the river. On the way down was a deep, 
narrow ravine, through which a small brook 
found its way to the "river. In this ravine, a 
body of Indians and Tories had concealed them- 
selves, waiting their coming. This spot is m 
the neighborhood of the Baptist church, be- 
tween that and the river. As the party was 
passing this point, the savages fired upon them, 
wounding both Benjamin and Stukley Hard- 
ing. They returned the fire, and then quite a 
contest ensued. The Indians rushed upon 
them with spears and tomahawks. They resist- 
ed until they were pierced through with spears 
and hacked' and cut to pieces with the toma- 
hawks. John Gardner was taken prisoner. 
Having no gun, he took no part in the fight. 
In the meantime, a party of Indians had cap- 
tured the elder James Hadsall, Carr and the 
negro, at the tannery, which was situated just 
above the mouth of Sutton's creek. 

"Those on the island came off in their canoes, 
and as they were ascending the bank, a party 
of savages," lying in wait, fired upon them, 
shooting Jaines Hadsall down and wounding 
Reynolds, who fled with Wallen, to the woods. 
John Hadsall, the boy, remained behind fast- 
ening the canoe. Upon hearing the firing he 
plunged into a thicket of willows and drift that 
overhung the waters near by. The Indians, 
missing one from the party in the canoe, went 



48 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



to the river to search for him. One of them 
walked out on a log just over where he was hid, 
but did not discover him. He could see the 
Indian's eyes as he peered about to find him. 
After night set in, he ventured out of his hid- 
ing place, and made his way back to the fort, 
arriving after midnight. He was the first to 
arrive and bring news of the fate of his com- 
panions to their waiting, anxious friends. 

"The elder Hadsall, Gardner, Carr and the 
negro were taken up Sutton's creek about a mile 
or two, to what is known as the Bailey farm, 
where the enemy were camping for the night. 
Here Hadsall and the negro were put to death 
by the most insulting, lingering and excruciat- 
ing tortures, giving a most delightful evening's 
entertainment to Major Butler and his demon- 
iac crew; the Indians and Tories being the ac- 
tors in the horrible drama, the Tories in par- 
ticular displaying a lively relish in the per- 
formance of their several parts." 

Stephen Harding, Jr., with the boy Rogers, 
Reynolds and Wallen, fled through the woods, 
and after wandering all night, succeeded in 
reaching the fort next morning. Reynolds 
took his wife and children, departed, and has 
never been heard from. Carr returned after a 
captivity of seven years. 

His wife, supposing him to be dead and 
thinking she had waited a proper time, had 
engaged herself to be married to another man, 
and was preparing for the wedding. One day 
she heard some one come into the house; she 
went to see who it was, and met her husband 
face to face. She was so overcome she fainted. 
Of course the new match was never completed. 

Major John Butler and his army of Tories 
and Indians, then entered the head of the val- 
ley, and took possession of Fort Wintermoot 
without opposition. 

While the settlers were marching on that day 
(July 1st), under the command of Colonel 
Zebulon Butler, of the Continental army, and 
Colonel Denison and Lieutenant-Colonel Dor- 
rance, to bring down the bodies of their slain 
neighbors, the enemy were marching toward 
the valley on the northwestern side of the 
mountain, on the eastern side of which they 
encamped, in full view of the valley. 

Women and Children Gathered to Places 
or Safety 
On the morning of the 2nd, Fort Winter- 
moot was opened to the enemy by its Tory occu- 
pants, and on the evening of the same day the 
garrison of Fort Jenkins capitulated. The day 
was spent by the settlers in gathering the wo- 
men, children and aged in places of safety, 
mostly in Forty Fort, which was about four 
miles below Fort Wintermoot, and in making 
preparations for defense. 



"Colonel Zebulon Butler, who was at that 
time an officer of the Continental army, know- 
ing the perilous condition of the people, and 
desirous to give his personal aid in any way 
possible, had obtained leave to visit the valley, 
and now, by common consent, assumed the 
command of the little army. The whole con- 
sisted of two hundred and thirty (230) enrolled 
men, and seventy (70) old people, boys, civil 
magistrates, and other volunteers; the whole 
embracing six companies, which were mustered 
at Forty Fort, where the families of the set- 
tlers on the east side of the river had taken 
refuge. "Indian Butler," as he was called, 
summoned the Connecticut people to surrender 
Forty Fort and the valley. A council of war 
was called on the 3rd of July, and though it 
was the opinion of iColonel Butler,. Colonel 
Denison and Lieutenant-Colonel Dorrance, and 
others, that a "little delay would be best," in 
hopes of the arrival of re-inforcements, which 
was thought might be on the way, yet a large 
majority were for marching at once upon the 
enemy and giving them battle. 

"Colonel Butler mounted his horse, saying, 
"I tell you we go into great danger, but I can 
go as far as any of you," and "the column, con- 
sisting of about three hundred men, old men 
and boys, marched from the fort," at about 
three o'clock in the afternoon, with drums beat- 
ing and colors flying. The devoted little band 
marched up the plain, with the river on the 
right and a marsh upon the left, until they 
reached Fort Wintermoot, which was on fire — 
fired to make the impression upon the minds of 
the patriots that the enemy was retiring from 
the valley." — Peck's History of Wyoming. 

Friday, July 3, 1778 

This is a small portion of the historical ad- 
dress delivered by Steuben Jenkins, at the Wy- 
oming Monument, July 3, 1878 on the one hun- 
dredth anniversary of the Battle and Massacre 
of Wyoming : 

"Let us look at the position of affairs as they 
existed on the 3rd of July, 1778. 

"The upper part of the Valley, on the west side 
of the river, was in the hands of the enemy, num- 
bering 1,100 men, well armed and equipped, thirst- 
ing for conquest and blood. So complete and ef- 
fective was their possession, that no person had 
been able to pass their lines to give information 
of either their numbers, position or purpose. 

"Jenkins' Fort, on the Susquehanna, just above 
the west end of the Bittston Ferry Bridge, was in 
their possession, having capitulated the day before, 
but possession had not been taken until this morn- 
ing. 

"Wintermoot Fort, situate on the bank of the 
plain, about a mile and a half below and about half 
a mile from the river, had been in their possession 
all the day before, and was used as their head- 
quarters. 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



49 



"Forty Port, some four miles further down the 
river, situate on the west bank of the Susque- 
hanna river, was the largest and strongest fort in 
the valley. Thither had fled all the people on the 
west side of the river, on the 1st and 2nd, and this 
was to be the gathering point of the patriot band. 
The Wilkes-Barre and Pittston Forts were the 
gathering points for the people in their Immediate 
neighborhood. 

"The forces such as they were, were distributed 
throughout the Valley somewhat as follows: 

"The Kingston company, commanded by Captain 
Aholiab Buck, numbering about forty men, was at 
Forty Fort. 

"The Shawnee company, commanded by Captain 
Asaph Whittlesey, numbering about forty-four men, 
was at Forty Fort. 

"The Hanover company, commanded by Captain 
Wm. McKarrachen, numbering about thirty, was 
at home in Hanover. 

"The upper Wilkes-Barre company, commanded 
by Captain Rezin Geer, numbering about thirty 
men, was at Wilkes-Barre. 

"The lower Wilkes-Barre company, commanded 
by Captain James Bidlack, Jr., numbering about 
thirty-eight men, was at Wilkes-Barre. 

"The Pittston company, commanded by Captain 
Jeremiah Blanchard, numbering about forty men, 
was at Pittston Fort. 

"The Huntington and Salem company, command- 
ed by Captain John Franklin, numbering about 
thirty-five men, was at home. 

"These were the militia, or train-bands, of the 
settlement, and included all who were able to bear 
arms, without regard to age. Old men and boys 
were enrolled in them. 

"Then there was Captain Detrick Hewitt's com- 
pany, formed and kept together under the resolu- 
tion of Congress, passed March 16, 1778. This 
company enlisted to serve for one year, unless 
sooner discharged by Congress, and that the said 
company find their o^vn arms, accoutrements and 
blankets. 

"Besides these, there were a number who were 
not enrolled in any of the companies, numbering 
about one hundred; and in addition, there were 
a number in the Valley who had been driven from 
the settlements up the river. Making altogether 
in the Valley, a force of men of all ages and boys, 
numbering about four hundred. 

"Colonel Zebulon Butler was at Wilkes-Barre, 
putting everything in that neighborhood in a de- 
fensible position, and awaiting developments. 

"On the 2nd, Colonel Denison had sent a mes- 
senger express to Captain John Franklin and Lieu- 
tenant Stoddard Bowen, to hurry forward to the 
scene of danger, with their Huntington and Salem 
company, without delay. 

"Such was the situation, when, on the morning 
of Friday, the 3rd of July, Major John Butler sent 
a flag to Forty Fort, demanding an unconditional 
surrender of that fort, the public stores, and Cap- 
tain Hewitt's company, with a promise that he 
would, when in possession, give them good terms 
of capitulation, and with a threat that in case of 
refusal, he would move upon them at once in full 
force. The demand was refused by Colonel Deni- 
son, then in command, but the refusal was accom- 
panied with a suggestion that he would like time 
and opportunity to consult with Colonel Zebulon 



Butler and other officers, who were not then pre- 
sent. The flag was born by Daniel Ingersoll, a 
prisoner, taken at Wintermoot Fort, who was ac- 
companied by a Tory and an Indian, to serve both 
as guards and spies. They returned, bearing the 
refusal of surrender, and it was supposed that upon 
their return and report to Major John Butler, he 
would immediately march upon them. 

"A messenger was forthwith despatched to Col. 
Butler, at Wilkes-Barre, informing him of the situa- 
tion, and requesting his immediate presence with 
all the available force at command. 

"Colonel Butler at once ordered the two Wilkes- 
Barre companies and the Hanover company, to 
march directly to Forty Fort. They promptly re- 
sponded, and at one o'clock they were all at the 
place of rendezvous. Information had been sent to 
other parts of the Valley, for every man to hasten 
to Forty Fort, as an attack was hourly expected. 

"Immediately upon Colonel Butler's arrival, a 
consultation of the officers was held, in which the 
situation was fully discussed. It was decided not 
to surrender, but to hold the fort at all hazards. 

"For the purpose of securing, by delays in nego^ 
tiations, sufficient time to permit the arrival of 
Franklin and Spalding's companies, and possibly 
Clingman's, a flag was sent to Major Butler, for a 
conference with him, upon the subject of his de- 
mand of the morning. At the same time scouts 
were sent out to make reconnoisance, and learn, if 
possible, the strength and situation of the enemy, 
and watch his movements. In fact, such scouts 
had been out all the morning. The flag had not 
proceeded half way to Major Butler's camp, when 
it was fired upon by prowling Indians and Tories, 
probably out as spies, and compelled to return. 
After consultation, another flag was sent out. It 
was also fired upon and compelled to return. 

"The scouts sent out returned with the news 
that they had not been able to get near enough to 
the British camp to ascertain more than that they 
were still occupying the neighborhorhood of Winter- 
moot Fort, and that the Indians were prowling 
about in every direction, many of them moving 
down the Valley, capturing horses and cattle which 
were roaming about in the woods. 

"Other scouts were sent out, and it was resolved 
to try another flag. This had not proceeded far, 
when it was fired upon and compelled to return. 
Scouts that had been out returned with reports that 
the enemy were moving down toward the fort, and 
that their number was not greater than that in 
the fort. 

"It was at once resolved to go out and meet them, 
and, if possible, beat and drive them back, at least 
stay their progress of destruction down the Valley. 

"Accordingly, the force gathered at Forty Fort, 
numbering about four hundred, including old men 
and boys, marched out, at about three o'clock in 
the afternoon, to defend their homes and harvests 
against the invaders, leaving the fort with a few old 
men and young boys, women and children, many of 
them sick, under the command of Lieutenant John 
Jenkins. They marched from the fort in martial 
array, with the Stars and Stripes at their head to 
the tune of 'St. Patrick's Day In the Morning,' play- 
ed on the fife by a true son of Erin, and drums 
beating, and proceeded as far as Abraham's creek, 
at the point where the road now crosses it at the 
stone bridge, a little over a mile from the fort. 
Here on the hill a halt was made, and the party 
properly disposed to resist an attack. 

"The position was well chosen. The creek at 
this point makes a complete elbow, round a hill 



50 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



which rises, abruptly, about twenty feet above the 
stream, largely protecting their right and front, 
while a branch of the stream and a marsh, on the 
left, covered that part of their force, and their rear 
was open for retreat to the fort, should that be- 
come necessary. The position was well calculated 
to be successfully held against a largely superior 
force, at least it gave them a great advantage in 
case of an attack upon them. 

"From this point a flag was again sent out, and 
other sccmts, and their return awaited. This flag 
was also flred upon and returned. Scouts that had 
been previously sent out, had, by great skill and 
energy, succeeded in making a reconnoisance of 
the enemy, by passing along the foot of the moun- 
tains on the west of the Valley; but on their re- 
turn, when in Western Wyoming, near the present 
site of Shoemaker's Mills, were shot, one fatally; 
the other slightly wounded, made his way back to 
headquarters. The information brought was to the 
effect that the enemy were in commotion, but what 
their design or which way they were moving, could 
not be told, but the supposition was they were pre- 
paring to leave the Valley. All the information 
gained was too indeflnite and too slight to be of 
any use in judging of either the number or design 
of the enemy. All was doubt and uncertainty. 

"Speculation and discussion now began to arise 
as to the intent of the enemy. The march upon 
Forty Fort, which had been threatened by Major 
Butler in the morning, unless a surrender was 
made, had not taken place. What did it mean? 
Had the threat any meaning, or was it mere brag- 
gadocio? It was suggested that the invading force 
had been over estimated by the timid; that if Ma- 
jor Butler had the overwhelming force pretended, 
he would, long ere this, have put his threat in 
execution, instead of breaking camp and leaving 
the Valley, as now appeared most probable. In the 
heat of the discussion, scouts returned reporting 
that the enemy were burning all the settlements 
above, and collecting all the cattle within their 
reach, and, from appearances, it was supposed they 
would not risk an immediate attack on Forty Fort, 
at least, did not Intend to do so, but would burn, 
plunder and destroy all the upper settlements, pro- 
bably cross the river to Pittston, take possession of 
that fort, destroy that and the neighboring settle- 
ments, massacre the people or make them prisoners, 
and then return back with their booty from whence 
they came. * * * 

"At this point in the debate, Lieutenant Timothy 
Pierce arrived with information that the company 
of Spalding was on its way, and would probably 
arrive on Sunday, for their assistance. This news 
did not, however, calm the troubled waters. It 
was contended that Sunday would be too late. That 
the enemy by that time could prowl through the 
Valley, rob and burn their homes, kill or take cap- 
tive the women and children, drive oft their horses 
and cattle, and destroy their harvests, while they 
like base cowards, were standing by with arms in 
their hands, without making an attempt to prevent 
it. * * * 

"The discussion became heated and personal. 
Charges of cowardice were made by Captain Laza- 
rus Stewart, then a private in Captain McKarra- 
chen's Hanover company, against all who opposed 
advancing, particularly against Colonel Butler, the 
principal commander, who was against an advance, 
and he threatened to report him as such to head- 
quarters. Stewart was ordered under arrest by 
Colonel Denison. 

"The Hanover company became mutinous. Cap- 
tain McKarrachen resigned, and the company Im- 



mediately elected Stewart in his place. They now 
threatened a revolt, unless a march should be im- 
mediately made against the enemy. 

"Colonel Denison, a cool and quiet man, who had 
taken little or no part in the discussion, as yet, 
urged the propriety of careful and considerate ac- 
tion, and the impropriety and danger of hasty and 
inconsiderate action. That It would be far better 
to wait until more was known of the number and 
movements of the enemy, and in the meantime, 
Spalding's and Franklin's companies would arrive, 
the latter certainly. But, these suggestions did not 
meet the feelings and views of the men generally. 
They had been warmed up by the fiery words of 
Captain Stewart. 

"When it was decided to advance and attack 
the enemy. Colonel Butler discharged Captain Stew- 
art from arrest, saying: 'We will march and meet 
the enemy, if he is to be found, and I will show the 
men that I dare lead where they dare follow.' 

"The order to march was immediately given, and 
they proceeded cautiously on their way as far as the 
hill, just below the monument, where another halt 
was made. * * * After a short time they moved 
on toward Wintermoot Fort, making another halt 
about a mile below the fort, on the plain. Here 
the companies lined up. 

"Yellow and pitch-pine trees, with scrub-oaks 
about breast high, were everywhere over the plain. 
There were very few trees of any size. The Indians 
were accustomed to burn the plain over every year, 
to make pasture for deer and other game, and thus 
destroyed the growth of trees of large size. 

"After the settlers had formed their line of bat- 
tle, they marched, in single line as formed, nearly 
a mile, and to within forty or fifty rods of Winter- 
moot Fort, their right still resting on the hill, and 
their left extending about 1600 feet toward the 
marsh, and to within 400 feet of it, where they 
halted and sent forward scouts for further recon- 
noisance. On the advance of the scouts, Indians 
would pop up, fire at them and fiee, some in one 
direction, some in another. 

"The line at this point was counted off into odds 
and evens, from right to left. The advance was 
made by the odds marching forward five steps and 
halting, and then the evens marching ten steps and 
halting, and so on, alternately, each division or 
section marching ten steps, halting, firing and load- 
ing, while the other was going through the same 
exercise, until more than half the distance to what 
finally became the field of battle had been gone 
over. 

"As they advanced in this manner, a number of 
Indians, here and there over the field, would arise, 
deliver their fire and fiee before them. The fire 
would be returned and our people would continue 
to advance. Soon a squad of British arose, de- 
livered their fire and fell back. Our commander 
cries out, 'See! the British retreat! Stand firm and 
the day is ours!' They continued to advance and 
soon another squad of British arose, delivered their 
fire and fell back. Again the cry, 'The British re- 
treat! The day is ours!' 

"Our men had now arrived at a point just oppo- 
site Wintermoot Fort, on their right, and on the 
edge, in front, of the only cleared space on the 
plain, which was an open field of three or four acres. 
They continued their advance slowly and cautiously, 
when they soon found the British in full force in 
front, standing up to the work, though apparently 
yielding ground. The flring now became general 
along the lines on both sides. Our people felt they 
were gaining ground and driving the enemy before 
them." 



HISTORY OF THE AVYOMING VALLEY 



51 



Pkepaeing for Battle 

"Colonel Zebulon Butler, on approaching the 
enemy, sent forward Captains Ransom and Dur- 
kee, Lieutenants Ross and Wells, as officers 
whose skill he most relied on, to select the spot, 
and mark off the ground on which to form the 
order of battle. On coming up, the column 
deployed to the left, and under those officers 
every company took its station, and then ad- 
vanced in line to the proper position, where it 
halted, the right resting on the steep hank 
noted, the left extending across the gravel flat 
to a morass, thick with timber and brush, that 
separated the bottom-land from the mountain. 
Yellow and pitch-pine trees, with oak shrubs, 
were scattered all over the plain. On the 
American right was Captain Bidlack's com- 
pany. Next was Captain Hewitt's, Daniel Gore 
being one of his lieutenants. On the extreme 
left was Captain Whittlesey's. Colonel Butler, 
supported by Major John Garret, commanded 
the right wing. Colonel Denison, supported 
by Lieutenant-Colonel George Dorrance, com- 
manded the left. Such was the ground, and 
such the order of battle. Everything was ju- 
diciously disposed, and constructed in a strictly 
military and prudent manner. Captains Dur- 
kee and Ransom, as experienced officers, in 
whom great confidence was placed, were sta- 
tioned, Durkee with Bidlack on the right wing, 
Ransom with Whittlesey on the left. Colonel 
Butler made a very brief address just before he 
ordered the column to deploy: 'Men, yonder 
is the enemy. The fate of the Hardings tells 
us what we have to expect if defeated. We come 
out to fight, not only for liberty, but for life 
itself, and, what is dearer, to preserve our homes 
from conflagration, our women and children 
from the tomahawk. Stand firm the first shock, 
and the Indians will give way. Every man to 
his duty.' 

"The column had marched up the road run- 
ning near the bank on which our right rested. 
On its display, as Denison led off his men, he 
repeated the expression of Colonel Butler, 'Be 
firm; every thing depends on resisting the first 
shock.' 

The Battle Begins 

"About four in the afternoon the battle be- 
gan; Colonel Zebulon Butler ordered his men 
to fire, and at each discharge to advance a step. 
Along the whole line the discharges were rapid 
and steady. It was evident that on the more 
open ground the Yankees were doing most exe- 
cution. As our men advanced pouring in their 
platoon fires with great vivacity, the British 
line gave way, in spite of all their officers' 
efforts to prevent it. The Indian flanking 
party on our right kept up from their hiding- 



places a galling fire. Lieutenant Daniel Gore 
received a ball through the left arm. 'Captain 
Durkee,' said he, 'look sharp for the Indians in 
those bushes.' Captain Durkee stepped to the 
bank to look, preparatory to making a charge 
and dislodging them, when he fell. 

"On the British Butler's right his Indian 
warrioi-s were sharply engaged. They seemed 
to be divided into six bands, for a yell would 
be raised at one end of their line, taken up, and 
carried through six distinct bodies appearing at 
each time to repeat the cry. As the battle 
waxed warmer, that fearful yell was renewed 
again and again with more and more spirit. It 
appeared to be at once their animating shout 
and their signal of communication. As several 
fell near Colonel Dorrance, one of his men gave 
way: 'Stand to your work sir,' said he firmly, 
but coolly, and the soldier resumed his place. 

"For half an hour a hot fire had been given 
and sustained, when the vastly superior num- 
bers of the enemy began to develop their power. 
The Indians had thrown into the swamps a 
large force, which now completely outflanked 
our left. It was impossible it should be other- 
wise: that wing was thrown into confusion. 
Colonel Denison gave orders that the company 
of Whittlesey should wheel back, so as to form 
an angle with the main line, and thus present 
his front, instead of flank, to the enemy. The 
difficulty of performing evolutions by the brav- 
est militia on the field under a hot fire is well 
known. On the attempt, the savages rushed in 
with horrid yells. Some had mistaken the or- 
der to fall back as one to retreat, and that word, 
that fatal word, ran along the line. Utter con- 
fusion now prevailed on the left. Seeing the 
disorder, and his own men beginning to give 
way. Colonel Z. Butler threw himself between 
the fires of the opposing ranks and rode up and 
down the line in the most reckless exposure. 
'Don't leave me, my children, and the victory 
is ours.' But it was too late. 

"Every captain that led a company into ac- 
tion was slain, and in every instance fell on or 
near the line. As was said of Bidlack, so of 
Hewitt, Whittlesey, and the others: 'they died 
at the head of their men.' They fought 
bravely; every man and officer did his duty; 
but they were overpowered by threefold their 
force. In point of numbers the enemy was 
overwhelmingly superior." — Miner's History. 

A Dreadful Hour 

It was a dreadful hour. The few old men 
who were left in the fort, and the women and 
children, lined the bank of the river with 
throbbing hearts, listening to the noise of the 
pattle; and as the firing became more scatter- 
ing, and advanced down the plain towards the 



52 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



fort, the fearful reality of a defeat was but too 
plainly indicated. "The boys are beat. — they 
are retreating — they will be all cut to pieces," 
exclaimed one who had been pacing the bank, 
and catching every indication borne upon the 
breeze from the scene of action. 

A portion of the numerous, strange, and 
fearful scenes which followed the battle are 
upon record, for which we must refer the 
reader to the historians. Mr. Miner says, 
"About one hundred and sixty of the Connec- 
ticut people were killed that day, and one hun- 
dred and forty escaped. The loss of the enemy 
was never known ; probably from forty to eighty 
fell." According to the best information which 
we have been able to gain, more than two hun- 
dred of the patriots fell in this fearful conflict, 
while about sixty of the British and Indians 
were slain. Many were first made prisoners, 
and then massacred in the most cruel and bar- 
barous manner by the savages. Colonels But- 
ler and Denison, being mounted, first came to 
Forty Fort, and confirmed the apprehensions 
of the poor defenseless people, then waiting in 
a most fearful state of anxiety and suspense. 
They sat down by a table in Thomas Bennett's 
cabin, and adjusted the terms of capitulation 
which were to be proposed to the enemy. Col- 
onel Butler then crossed over to Wilkes-Barre, 
and the next day, throwing a feather-bed across 
his horse, and seating his wife upon the animal 
behind him, left the valley. He was a brave 
officer, and having distinguished himself in 
several gallant enterprises in the Revolutionary 
struggle, had reason enough for not wishing to 
be made a prisoner of war. At nightfall the 
fugitives came into the fort, exhausted with the 
toils and terrors of the day. But oh, how many 
husbands and sons came not! The sadness 
of that night will never be adequately sketched. 

The people in the fort at Wilkes-Barre, on 
the east side of the river, early on the 4th, 
commenced their fight, but in such haste as 
not to furnish themselves with provisions for a 
long and toilsome journey through the wilder- 
ness. A large number of women and children, 
with a few men, took the old war-path toward 
the Delaware, some perishing on the way 
through fatigue and hunger in a dense pine 
forest which has ever since been called "The 
Shades of Death." The few regular soldiers 
who had escaped, knowing that they, if taken, 
would be doomed to exemplary punishment, 
made a hasty escape, under the orders of Col- 
onel Butler. 

On the evening of the fatal 3rd, Captain 
John Franklin arrived at Forty Fort, with a 
company of militia from Huntington and 
Salem, which gave a little strength to the rem- 
nant which were left. On the morning of the 



4th, Major John Butler summoned Colonel 
Denison to surrender Forty Fort, inviting him 
to head-quartei's to agree upon the terms. After 
some negotiations, the following articles of ca- 
pitulation were duly executed: 

Capitulation Agreement 

Westmoreland, July 4, 1778. 

"Capitulation Agreement made and com- 
pleted between John Butler, in behalf of his 
Majesty King George the Third, and Colonel 
Nathan Denison of the United States of 
America : 

"Art. 1. It is agreed that the settlement 
lay down their arms, and their garrison be 
demolished. 

"Art. 2. That the inhabitants are to occupy 
their farms peaceably, and the lives of the in- 
habitants be preserved entire and unhurt. 

"Art. 3. That the Continental stores are to 
be given up. 

"Art. 4. That Major Butler will use his 
utmost influence that the private property of 
the inhabitants shall be preserved entire to 
them. 

"Art. 5. That the prisoners in Forty Fort 
be delivered up, and that Samuel Finch, now 
in Major Butler's possession be delivered up, 
also. 

"Art. 6. That the property taken from the 
people called Tories be made good; and that 
they remain in peaceable possession of their 
farms, and unmolested in a free trade through- 
out the settlement. 

"Art. 7. That the inhabitants, which Col- 
onel Denison captiulated for, together with him- 
self, do not take up arms during the contest. 
(Signed) John Butler, 

Nathan Denison. 

Indians Plunder the Fort 

"Accordingly, on the 5th of July, the gates 
of the fort were thrown open, and Butler, at 
the head of his rangers, and a Seneca chief by 
the name of G — n, at the head of the Indians, 
marched in. The arms of the men were stack- 
ed, and given as a present by Butler to the 
Indians, with these words: "See what a present 
the Yankees have made you." _ The Indians 
went about sneakingly peeping into the doors 
of the cabins, but for that day molested no 
one. On the next day, however, they began to 
plunder the people. Colonel Denison remained 
in Mr. Bennet's cabin, a place formerly occu- 
pied as a horse-shed. When Butler came into 
the fort. Colonel Denison sent for him, and 
remonstrated with him upon the conduct of the 
Indians, alleging that it was a breach of a most 
solemn engagement. Butler said, "My men 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



53 



shall not molest the people; I will put a stop 
to it." But he was no sooner gone than the 
plundering was resumed. Colonel Denison 
again sent for Butler, and again -he came into 
the shed and gave assurances that "the plunder- 
ing should cease." Toward night a company 
of Indians came in, some of them drunk, and 
commenced ransacking the houses and rifling 
them of their movables. Colonel Denison had 
another conversation with Butler, who now 
said, "To tell the truth, I can do nothing with 
them." Colonel Denison chided with him 
severely, but, waving his hand, he repeated the 
same words, and finally left the fort no more to 
return." — Peck's History of Wyoming. 

Queen Esther's Rock 
On the evening of the battle, (July 3, 1778) 
sixteen of the prisoners taken on the field of 
battle and in the flight, under promise of quar- 
ter, were collected together by their savage cap- 
tors around a rock, near the brow of the hill, 
about a half mile above the monument, and 
a little more than a mile from the field of action. 
The rock at that time was about two feet high 
on its eastern front, with a surface of four or 
five feet square, running back to a level with 
the ground and beneath it at its western ex- 
tremity. It is now surrounded by an iron fence. 
The prisoners were arranged in a ring aroimd 
this rock, and were surrounded with a body of 
about two hundred savages, under the leader- 
ship and inspiration of Queen Esther, a fury 
in the form of woman, who assumed the office 
of executioner. The victims, one at a time, 
were taken from the devoted circle and led to 
the east front of the rock, where they were made 
to sit down. They were then taken by the hair 
and their heads pulled back on the rock, when 
the bloody Queen Esther, with a death-maul 
would dash out their brains. The savages, as 
each victim was in this manner immolated, 
would dance around in a ring, holding each 
others' hands, shouting and hallooing, closing 
with the death-whoop. In this manner fourteen 
of the party had been put to death. The fury 
of the savage Queen increased with the work of 
blood. 

Seeing there was no other way or hope of de- 
liverance, Lebbens Hammond, one of the pris- 
oners, in a fit of desperation, with a sudden 
spring, broke through the circle of Indians and 
fled toward the mountain. Riflles cracked! 
Tomahawks flew! Indians yelled! But Ham- 
mond held on his course for about fifty rods, 
when he stumbled and fell, but sprang up 
again. Stopping for a moment to listen, he 
found his pursuers on each side of him, or a 
little ahead, running and yelling like demons. 
He stepped behind a large pine tree to take 
breath, when, reflecting that his pursurers be- 



ing already ahead of him, he would gain noth- 
ing by going on in that direction, he turned 
and ran for the river in such a course as to 
avoid the party ai-ound the fatal rock, and yet 
to keep an eye on them. He passed by with- 
out being seen, went down and plunged into the 
high grass in the swampy ground at the foot of 
the hill, where he remained concealed for about 
two hours, watching the movements and listen- 
ing to the yells of his savage pursuers. He fi- 
nally crawled out of his concealment, cautious- 
ly made his way to the river, and thence down 
to the fort. 

Butler and His Indians Leave the Valley 

"Indian Butler" soon made his exit from the 
valley. The following is a picture of the de- 
parture : 

"With Butler a large portion of the Indians 
withdrew, and their march presented a picture 
at once melancholy and ludicrous. Squaws, 
to a considerable number, brought up the rear, 
a belt of scalps stretched on small hoops around 
the waist for a girdle, having on, some four, 
some six, and even more, dresses of chints or 
silk, one over the other ; being mounted astride 
on horses (of course all stolen), and on their 
heads three, four, or five bonnets, one within 
another, worn wrong side before," — Miner's 
History, p. 237. 

Burying the Slain. 
From Peck's History of Wyoming 

''Colonel Zebulon Butler returned to the Valley 
in August (after the massacre), but no attempt was 
made to gather up the remains of those who fell 
upon the battle-field until October. On the 21st of 
October he issued an order "that there be a party 
consisting of a lieutenant, two sergeants, two cor- 
porals, and twenty-five men, to parade to-morrow 
morning, with arms, as a guard to those who will 
go to bury the remains of the men who were 
killed at the late battle at and near the place called 
Wintermoot s Fort." On that day the settlers, who 
had returned to the valley, assembled and pro- 
ceeded, protected by the military escort provided 
by Colonel Butler, to perform the melancholy duty 
of interring what remained of their comrades re- 
lations and neighbors in as decent a manner as 
possible. The late General William Ross, who was 
present, informed Professor Silliman, when he was 
m the valley in 1829, that, 'owing to the intense 
heat of the weather, and probably the dryness of 
the air, the bodies were shriveled, dried, and inof- 
fensive, but, with a single exception, their features 
could not be recognized.' 

"The bodies were taken up with pitchforks and 
carried upon a cart to the place of sepulture, where 
they were buried in a common grave." 

Finding and Opening the Grave After 

Fifty Years 

From Peck's History of Wyoming 

"Strange as it may seem, the grave of the patriots 

who fell in the fatal 'Indian battle' was for years 

wholly lost. It was known to be located not far 



54 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



from the main road, in a field belonging to Fisher 
Gay, Esq. This had long been cultivaited, the plow 
and the scythe alternately passing over the remains 
of the relatives and friends of nearly every leading 
family in the valley, and yet there was none to rise 
up and claim for Wyoming's heroes the respect ac- 
corded in all civilized countries to the ashes of the 
common dead. Public sentiment was finally di- 
rected to the subject, and there was an awakening 
of the feelings of virtuous shame for a delinquency 
so strange and unnatural. A suitable monument 
over the bones of the patriotic band finally came 
to be talked of as a matter of decency, to say 
nothing of the gratitude to which their memory 
was entitled. So early as 1809, Hon. Charles Miner 
published several essays upon the subject dn a 
Wilkes-Barre paper, but iit was not until 1832 that 
anything like a decided movement was made to 
carry out the project. 

"Several leading citizens of the valley becoming 
deeply interested in the question of the proposed 
monument, the first thing which it was thought 
necessary to settle was the precise spot where the 
bones of the patriots lay. The ground was origin- 
ally owned by 'the widow Lee,' and she subsequent- 
ly married Philip Jackson, long after her death a 
resident art Forty Fort. Jackson remembered the 
mound which indicated the place of interment, and 
was employed to identify it. But little effort was 
necessary to effect the object. The comomn grave, 
where were mingled together the bones of brothers 
and neighbors, officers and common soldiers, in 
close contact, was opened in the presence of several 
of the citizens residing in the vicinity. 

"Some of the most interesting specimens of the 
remains were deposited in a box, and were kept 
for examination by curious visitors, until most 
of them finally disappeared. We saw them before 
any of them had been conveyed by sacrilegious 
hands to parts unknown. The skulls exhibited the 
marks of the tomahawks and scalping-knife. Some 
of them had been broken in with the head or spike 
of the tomahawk, and others chipped with the edge 
by a glancing stroke. One had been broken in with 
the rim of ithe pipe of a smoking-tomahawk. We 
can Imagine with what gusto the murderous wretch 
tastied the fumes of 'the weed' itaken in from the 
bowl of his favorite smoking hatchet while it was 
yet stained with the blood of his victim. One skull 
was perforated by a bullet, and a thigh-bone had a 
bullet hole in the centre, which was made without 
effecting a lateral fracture, leaving the bone en- 
tirely sound with the exception of the smooth per- 
foration. 

"What awful associations did these memorials 
of the fatal 3d of July, 1778, bring up! ■* ■* * 
These sacred relics were now objecits of universal 
curiosity and no ordinary veneration, and increased 
the tendency of the public mind in the direction of 
the monument which had been commenced. The 
time for action had come, and a meeting of a 
number of the early settlers of Wyoming Valley, 
who had relatives and acquaintances in ithe Wyom- 
ing massacre, and other citizens of Luzerne county, 
convened at the house of Major O. Helme, in 
Kingston, on the 16th day of June, 1832, to take 
into consideration the subject of erecting a monu- 
ment ito the memory of those who fell in that dis- 
asterous conflict. General William Ross was ap- 
pointed chairman, and Charles D. Shoemaker sec- 
retary. After the object of the meeting had been 
stated by the chair, the following persons were ap- 
pointed a committee to draft resolutions: John 
Carey, Colonel Benjamin Dorrance, Rev. Benjamin 
Bidlack, Colonel George P. Ransom, Calvin Wad- 



hams, John Gore, Sen., Anderson Dana, Sen., Jo- 
seph Wright and Benjamin Reynolds. 

"One of the resolutions proposed and passed was, 
'That we request the citizens of the valley to meet 
at the house of F. Gay, in Kingston, on ithe 3d of 
July next, at ten o'clock, for the purpose of adopt- 
ing such measures as may be thought necessary to 
insure the erection of the monument.' It was also 
'Resolved, That we invite our fellow-citizens to 
unite with us in paying a tribute of respect to the 
remains of those patriots on that day, it being the 
anniversary of the day of their massacre, by visiting 
the spot where rest their ashes.' 

"The committee immediately arranged the fol- 
lowing program for the proposed meeting: 

"The procession will be formed at twelve o'clock, 
in the following order: 

"Those who may be present who were in the 
battle. 

'"The soldiers of the Revolution. 

"The connections and descendants of those who 
fell in the battle. 

"The orator of the day and the committee of 
superintendence. 

"The early settlers who were not in the battle. 

"The citizens. 

"The procession will march in silence, or with 
suitable music, to the place where those who were 
massacred were interred." 

The Meeting of July 3, 1832. 

From Peck's History of Wyoming. 
"The meeting was one of great public interest, 
and, as might be expected, a vast concourse of peo- 
ple attended. Rev. James May of the Protestant 
Episcopal Church, was the orator. Associated 
with him in the services were Rev. Nicholas Mur- 
ray, of the Presbyterian Church, and Rev. Charles 
Nash, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, then all 
pastors in the borough of Wilkes-Barre. The ora- 
tion of Mr. May and the remarks of Mr. Murray 
were published in the papers, and are now before 
us. 

Rev. James May^s Address 

Mr. May's address consisted of a brief sketch 
of the objects of the meeting, the battle, and the 
consequences which followed. Toward its close 
we take the following beautiful paragraphs: 

"When upward of fifty years have gone, we are 
in quiet possession of this valley. The sun in his 
daily journey looks upon few spots on which the 
Creator has combined more of the materials neces- 
sary for earthly happiness. No object of price in 
general can be gained without painstaking and 
sacrifice. The independence of our common coun- 
try was not secured without a long and toilsome 
struggle. This valley, so rich in soil, so lovely in 
scenery, could not be possessed securely till the 
sacrifice was made, and that, too, of blood. The 
hands that more than half a century ago first 
struck the axe into the forests that had for ages 
shadowed these plains, lie mingled with the dust. 
The troubles of those times, when the Indians de- 
scended upon this valley, were borne by heads that 
are pillowed beneath the soil. See, fellow-citizens, 
the sacrifice which was made by the first civilized 
tenants of this valley. The grave containing their 
bones is uncovered before you. You see for your- 
self the marks of the tomahawk and scalping-knife 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



55 



on the heads which are here uncovered, after hav- 
ing rested for more than fifty years. Peace be in 
this grave — sacred be the memory of them that 
sleep here. 

"A few who were themselves sharers in the tolls 
and diffioulties of those times yet survive, and are 
here this day to bear witness for us. Venerable 
citizens we respect you for your years; we honor 
you for the part you bore in the doings and suffer- 
ings of those days; we love and cherish the princi- 
ples of liberty which animaited you; we owe you a 
debt of gratitude for the happy inheritance which 
you did your part to preserve unimpaired for your 
children. You have passed within the lines of the 
second half century since you opened a grave here 
for your brothers whom the Indians slaughtered on 
these plains. This valley, which you saw as it was 
when buit a frontier, you survive to see in the midst 
of a population of many hundreds of thousands 
overspreading the country beyond you. But on this 
day, and where you now are, you can not but think 
of what you once saw in this place. We would stand 
aside while you look into this grave, and see the 
bones of your brothers, which fifty years ago you 
assisted in sadly laying here. We would not in- 
trude while, as you stand beside these bones, you 
think how you stood beside your friends when they 
lived. For your sakes we are glad that this day 
has come. We rejoice to think that you may yet 
see a stone raised here, on which the names of 
those you laid in this spot shall be engraven" 

A Portion of the Remarks Made by 

Rev. Nicholas Murray 

"You see these bleached heads and bending forms 
around me. These worthies have come down to us 
from the last century, and are the companions of 
the heroes to whose manly frames these moulder- 



ing bones belonged. Could the breath of life be 
breathed into these bones — could ithey rise in the 
possession of living energy; they would find, even 
among this small remnant, a few brothers and sons. 
As the gentleman on my right was narrating the 
incidents of the horrible massacre, I saw the tear 
stealing down the furrowed cheeks of these fathers 
of our community. That tear told me that they 
felt — that they deeply felt; and methinks that there 
is noit a heart in this vast converse that does not 
sympathize with them. They desire that a monu- 
ment should be erected over the common grave of 
their fathers, and brothers, and companions. And 
do you not sympathize with them? I know you 
do. I feel persuaded that you are anxious to place 
a liberal subscription on this paper before you re- 
tire from this place. You court the honor of con- 
tributing to the erection of the Wyoming Monu- 
menit. My great fear is that we shall not all have 
the privilege of giving. I would therefore caution 
the rich not to indulge their patriotic feelings too 
freely, lest the poor should be debarred. We all 
want to have our stone in ithe Wyoming Monu- 
ment." 

The necessary amount was not raised, and 
the subscription was so small that the enterprise 
rested for seven years. In 1839, an able com- 
mittee was sent to Harford to solicit aid from 
the Legislature of Connecticut, to the amount 
of three thousand dollars, to aid in the erection 
of the i^roposed monument. Two j'^ears later 
another petition and another committee were 
sent, and for a time they thought they would 
succeed. The lower house voted the appropria- 
tion by a large majority, but the Senate did not 
agree. The amount was never granted. 



CHAPTER SEVEN 



THE WYOMING MONUMENT 



A meeting was convened at the house of 
James Scovel, in Exeter township, on the 25th 
of November, 1809, to adopt measures for 
erecting a monument to the memory of those 
who perished in the battle and massacre of 
Wyoming on the 3d of July, 1778. A com- 
mittee was appointed for each township in the 
county to collect funds. In about two months 
only $300 was collected, and here ended the 
matter for upwards of twenty-two years. 

In June, 1832, the bones of the victims of 
the battle and massacre were discovered in one 
common grave, on the farm of Fisher Gay. 
On the 3d of July, the same year a meeting was 
held on the monument ground, and among the 
resolutions adopted was one thanking Fisher 
Gay "for his liberality in bestowing the ground 
necessary for the erection of a monument, and 
for his attention at the meeting." July 3d, 
1833, the corner stone of the monument was 
laid by Elisha Blackman, a veteran, who was 



in the battle. A box was deposited in the stone 
by Samuel Carey, another survivor of the en- 
gagement. It contained a history of the early 
settlement of the valley, an account of the ba^ 
tie, a list of the names of those who fell in the 
engagement, a copy of the ofhcial report of the 
battle by Colonel Z. Butler, a copy of the ad- 
dress delivered at the laying of the corner stone, 
by Chester Butler ; the muster roll of a company 
commanded by Cajatain Samuel Ransom, made 
out September 17, 177?; copies of the addresses 
made by the Rev. James May and the Rev. 
Nicholas Murray at a former meeting; a piece 
of each denomination of United States, coin ; a 
copy of President Jackson's proclamation to the 
people of the United States in reference to the 
hostile attitude of South Carolina towards the 
Federal Government, mid a cojiy of each news- 
paper then published in the county. The bones 
of the slain were deposited in the ground, and 
prayer offered by Rev. John Dorrance. 



56 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



In 1839 and 1841 the general assembly of 
Connecticut refused an appropriation of $3,000 
to complete the monument. In 1841, patriotic 
ladies of Luzerne formed a society called the 
Ijuzerne Monumental Association. Mrs. C. But- 
ler was made president, Mrs. HoUenback and 
Mrs. Carey, vice-presidents, Mrs. Harrison 
Wright, treasurer, and Mrs. R. D. Carey, secre- 
tary. They obtained donations at home and 
abroad, held a fair at Wilkes-Barre and raised 
a fund of $2,508. In order to raise funds the 
ladies spread a monumental dinner in Kmgs- 
ton on the 24th of June, 1841. It was largely 
attended and the association realized a hand- 
some return. Rev. T. P. Hunt, Colonel H. B. 
Wright and Dr. T. W. Miner delivered appro- 
priate addresses. But the most united and gen- 
eral effort to secure the money needed to com- 
plete the monument was made at the fair held 
in Wilkes-Barre on the 1st, 2d and 3d of July 
following. By this fair the ladies obtained 
$2,200. "This sum was expended, and a monu- 
ment sixty-two and a half feet in height was 
raised. 

In 1856 Fisher Gay sold his farm to Payne 
Pettebone. The deed contained provisions se- 
curing the monumental site to the association. 
Mr. Pettebone sold the property to Moses Wood- 
ward, and he to Mr. Kesler and others, and 
their several deeds reiterated the same provi- 
sions. 

At a meeting of the Wyoming Historical and 
Geological Society, January 16, 1864, Payne 
Pettebone, Hon. W. S. Ross and Colonel Charles 
Dorrance were named as a committee to collect 
funds for enclosing and improving the monu- 
mental grounds, which contains one-half acre 
of land The fence was built and trees planted 
in the Spring of 1864 by the Wyoming Monu- 
mental Association, which was incorporated by 
an Act approved April 3, 1860. 

The monument proper cost about $6,500. In- 
cluding grounds, fencing, trees and shrubbery 
the cost was about $8,000. 

The monument is a plain obelisk, of the dark 
gray stone of the valley, cut on the face and laid 
m blocks of from twelve to fifteen inches in 
thickness, and of convenient lengths. 

It is sixty-two and one-half feet in height 
from the surface of the ground, rectangular in 
form, and of proper proportions to render_ it 
graceful and of architectural propriety, with 
four equal sides. The base rises three steps from 
the foundation. Within this is a chamber con- 
taining the bones of the victims of the massa- 
cre, as'^far as they could be recovered. Resting 
on the base is a square die with a tablet of mar- 
ble set into each face. 



The monument was erected over a mile 
south of the battle field, near the present 
southern boundary of Wyoming borough, on 
the east side of the road leading into Forty Fort. 




|||j ff!! lliiMiniMi 



11iffi#l't«fl'l 



riiitftiiiiiitfi 



WYOMING MONUMENT. 

The north-west or front tablet of the monu- 
ment contains the following appropriate in- 
scription by Edward G. Mallery, great grandson 
of Colonel Butler: 

"Near this spot was fought, on the afternoon of 
Friday, the 3d of July, 1778, the battle of Wyom- 
ing; in which a small body of patriotic Americans, 
chiefly the undisciplined, the youthful and the aged, 
spared, by inefficiency, from the distant ranks of 
the republic, led by Colonel Zebulon Butler and Col- 
onel Nathan Denison, with a courage that deserved 
success, boldly met and bravely fought a combined 
British, Tory and Indian force of thrice their num- 
ber. Numericial superiority alone gave success to 
the invader, and wide-spread havoc, desolation and 
ruin marlied his savage and bloody footsteps 
through the valley. This monument, commemor- 
ative of these events and of the actors in them, has 
been erected over the bones of the slain by their 
descendents and others who gratefully appreciate 
the services and sacrifices of their patriotic ances- 
tors.'' 

The tablets on the south-west and north-east 
sides contain the names of the slain as far as 
was known at the time of the building; a few 
since have been added to the list which is now 
as follows: 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



57 



Slain in Battle 
'Dulce et decorum est patria mori" 

FIELD OFFICERS 

Lieu. Col. George Dorrance 
Major Jonathan Waite Garrett. 



James Bidlack, 
Aholiab Buck 
Robert Durkee 
Rezin Geer 
Dethick Hewitt 



CAPTAINS 

Jr. William McKarrachen 

■ Samuel Ransom 
Lazarus Stewart 
James Wigdon 
Asaph Whittlesey 

LIEUTENANTS 



A. Atherton 
Aaron Gaylord 
Perrin Ross 
Lazarus Stewart, Jr. 
Flavins Waterman 



Jeremiah Bigord 
Silas Gore 
Jonathan Otis 



Timothy Pierce 
Stoddart Bowen 
Elijah Shoemaker 
Asa Stevens 
James Wells 

ENSIGNS 

Asa Gore 
Titus Hinman 
William White 

PRIVATES 



Jabez Atherton 
Christopher Avery Ackke 
A. Benedict 
Jabez Beers 
Samuel Bigford 
David Bixby 
Elias Bixby 
John Boyd 
John Brown 
Thomas Brown 
William Buck 
Joseph Budd 
Amos Bullock 
Asa Bullock 
Henry Bush 
Eson Bockway 
John Caldwell 
Josiah Carman 
Joseph Gary 
Joel Church 
William Cofferin 
James Cofferin 
Samuel Cole 
Isaac Campbel 
— Campbell 
Robert Com&tock 
Kingsley Comstock 

( Cook 
Brothers \ Cook 

I Cook 
Christopher Courtright 
John Courtright 
Anson Corey 
Jenks Corey 
Rufus Corey 
Joseph Crocker 
D. Denton 
Anderson Dana 
Conrad Davenport 
George Downing 
James Devine 
Levi Dunn 
William Dunn 
— Ducher 
Benjamin Finch 
Daniel Finch 
John Finch 
Elisha Fish 



Joshua Landou 
Daniel Lawrence 
William Lawrence 
Francis Ledyard 
James Lock 
Conrad Lowe 
Jacob Lowe 
William Lester 
C. McCartee 
Nicholas Manville 
Nero Matthewson 
Alexander McMillan 
Job Marshall 
Andrew Millard 
John Murphy 
Robert Mclntire 
Joseph Ogden 
Abel Palmer 
Silas Parker 
William Parker 
John Pierce 
Henry Pencil 
Noah Pettebone, Jr. 
Jeremiah Ross, Jr. 
Elisha Richards 
William Reynolds 
Elias Roberts 
Timothy Rose 
Abram Shaw 
James Shaw 
Joseph Shaw 
Constant Searle 
Abel Seeley 
Levi Spencer 
Jabez Darling 
Darius Spofford 
James Spencer 
Joseph Staples 
Reuben Staples 
Rufus Stevens 
James Stevenson 
Nailer Sweed 
Gamaliel Truesdale 
Ichabod Tuttle 
Abram Vangorder 
Joseph Jennings 
Henry Johnson 
John Van Wie 



Cornelius Fitchett 
Eliphalet Follett 
Thomas Faxon 
John Franklin 
Stephen Fuller 
Thomas Fuller 
George Gore 

— Gardner 

— Green 
Benjamin Hatch 
William Hammon . 
Silas Harvey 
Samuel Hutchinson 
Cyprian Hebard 
Levi Hicks 
John Hutcliins 
James Hopkins 
Nathaniel Howard 
Zipporah Hibbard 
Elijah Inman 
Israel Inman 
Samuel Jackson 
Lieutenant Boyd, killed 



Blihu Waters 
Jonathan Weeks 
Bartholomew Weeks 
Philip Weeks 
Peter Wheeler 
Stephen Whiton 
Eben Wilcox 
Elihu Williams, Jr. 
Rufus Williams 
Aaron Stark 
Daniel Stark 
Josiah Spencer 
Eson Wilcox 
John Williams 
John Ward 
John Wilson 
Parker Wilson 
William Woodring 
Aziba Williams 

— Wade 
Ozias Yale 

Gershom Prince (colored! 
at PoDty Fort, after the 



Battle. 

On the south-east side over the door lofidin.o; 
to the vault is a slab containing; a list of the 
survivors as follows: 



Zebulon Butler 



Daniel Gore 



Daniel Downing 



COLONELS 

Nathan Denison 

LBEUTBNANTS 

Timothy Howe 

ENSIGNS 

Matthias Hollenback 



Jabez Fish 



SERGEANTS 

Phineas Spafford 

PRH'ATES 



Gates 



John Abbott 
Gideon Baldwin 
Zera Beach 
Rufus Bennett 
Solomon Bennett 
Elisha Blackman 
Nathan Carey 
Samuel Carey 
George Cooper 
Joseph Elliott 
Samuel Finch 
Roswell Franklin 
Hugh Forsman 
Thomas Fuller 
John Garrett 
Samuel Gore 
Lemuel Gustin 
James Green 
Lebbeus Hammond 
Jacob Haldron 

Daniel 



Elisha Harris 
Ebenezer Heberd 
Wlliiam Heberd 
Richard Inman 
David Inman 
John Jamison 
Henry Lickers 
Joseph Morse 
Thomas Neill 
Josiah Pell 
Phineas Peirce 
Abraham Pike 
John N. Skinner 
Giles Slocum 
Walter Spencer 
Edward Spencer 
Amos Stafford 
Roger Searle 
Cherrick Westbrook 
Eleazer West 
Washburn 



PKISONKRS TAKEN FROM WYOMING 

John Gardner Daniel Wallen 

Daniel Carr Daniel Rosencrans 

Samuel Carey Elisha Wilcox 

— Pierce 

KILLED ON APPROACH TO WYOMING 

William Crooks James Hadsall 

Miner Robbins James Hadsall, Jr. 

Benjamin Harding Wm. Martin 

Stukeley Harding — Quocko (colored! 



58 



1118T011Y OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



Above the die is a projecting cornice of some 
two feet in thicknes-s, the whole supporting the 
obehsk proper which tapers upwards, terminat- 
ing in one soHd cap-stone in the form of a flat- 
tened pyramid at the apex. 

The monument contains the names of one 



hundred and seventy killed, seven prisoners and 
eight who were killed Ijefore the battle, making 
a total of one hundred and eighty-five. It was 
imijossible to get a complete list, because many 
fell in line of battle at the last moment, not 
having time to enroll. The monument, also, 
contains the names of the fifty survivors. 



CHAPTER EIOHT 



EARLY IMPROVEMENTS IN WYOMING 



The First Mills in Wyoming 
As mentioned elsewhere, the 'first settlement 
by white people in the Wyoming A^alley was 
begun in 1762, at Mill Creek. The number of 
settlers was small, and before they could do 
much more than clear some land for cultivat- 



tration. "Males and females alike were found 
grinding at these hominy mills. They could be 
lieard ]iounding night and day, in all direction- 
in Wilkes-l>arre." 

In 1769 the ;N'ew England settlers returned 
to the valley. In a petition to the Connecticut 




HOMINY BLOCK OR CORN POUNDER 
A Type ot the First Mills Used in Vi'yoming Valley. (Courtesy of Wyoming 



Society) 



ing, and erect necessary log huls for dwellings, 
they were all either massacred by the Indians, 
carried away into captivity, or driven back to 
their old homes in New England. 

No attempt was made by these settlers to erect 
a grist-mill. In the absence of such a mill a 
corn-pounder or hominy block was used. This 
was a section of a tree trunk, with one end hol- 
lowed out like a bowl. In this bowl the corn 
was placed, and then pounded with a pestle 
hung upon a spring-pole, as shown in the illus- 



Assembly, dated at Wilkes-Barre, August 29, 
1769, and signed by a nuo'^er of settlers, it set 
forth that they had been at great expense "erect- 
ing houses, mills, and other necessary build- 
ings." In the New York Journal of December 
28, 1769, there was published an account of the 
troubles at Wyoming between the Pennamites 
and Yankees, and reference was made to the 
capture of Major John Durkee while "going 
from the block-house to view some onills they 
were erecting." At a town-meeting held in 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



59 



Wilkes-Barre iii Sejatember, 1771, Captain War- 
ner was appointed to live in the block-house 
near the mills, "in order to guard ye mills;" 
and he was granted liberty to select nine men 
to assist him as guards. 

These mills — or, more properly, this mill, for 
there was but one structure — was the mill erect- 
ed on Mill Creek by the New England settlers 
in the autumn of 1769, and it was, without 
doubt, a saw-mill. No steps had been taken, 
up to the autumn of 1771 towards the erection 
in Wyoming of a grist-mill. According to 
Miner's "History of Wyoming" (Appendix, 
23age 47) there were no grist-mills in Wj'oming 




MORTAR AND PESTLE USED IN FORTY FORT 
IN 177S. 
Now in Wyoming Historical Building-. Wilkes-Barre 

in 1771. "For bread the settlers used pounded 
corn. Dr. Sprague, who kept a boarding-house, 
would take his horse, with as much wheat as 
he could carry, and go out to the Delaware (to 
Coshutunk) and get it ground. Seventy or 
eighty miles was no trifling distance. The flour 
was kept for cakes and to be used only on ex- 
traordinary occasions." 

By 1772 the settlers were in full and complete 
possession of AVyoming Valley, and then one of 
the first matters of general interest that was 
acted upon in town meeting was with reference 
to the erection of a grist-mill. 

During the pei'iod that Wyoming was under 
the jurisdiction of Connecticut, and the laws of 
that Province and State prevailed and were en- 
forced here, the statute relating to grist-mills 
provided that each miller in the Colony or the 
owner of a grist-mill, "shall be allowed three 
quarts out of each bushel of Indian corn he 



grinds, and for other grain two quarts out of 
each bushel; except malt, out of which one 
quart." Should the miller presume to take or 
receive greater toll, he was liable to a penalty 
of ten shillings for each conviction. The mill- 
er was also allowed for bolting, one pint out 
of each bushel he should bolt. It was also pro- 
vided by statute that "one miller to each grists 
mill" be exempted from liability to do duty in 
the militia of the Colony. 

The Chapman Grist-Mill 

Early in 1772 a grant was made to Nathan 
Chapman (who is said to have come from 
Goshen, N. Y.), by the proprietors of Wilkes- 
Barre township, of a site of forty acres of land 
at Mill Creek ; thirty acres on the north side of 
the creek and ten on the south .side, just east 
of the road (known later as the "middle road," 
and now as the continuation of Main street) 
running from Wilkes-Barre to Pittston. The 
same year a grist-mill and a saw-mill were built 
by Mr. Chapman on the north side of the creek. 
This was the fir.st grist-mill erected in Wyom- 
ing. It was a log structure with one run of 
stones. These were run by a slow-moving but 
powerful over-shot waterwheel. The mill irons 
were brought by Matthias Hollenback in his 
boat up the Susquehanna river from Wright's 
Ferry, and Charles Miner says the voyage "was 
rendered memorable by the loss of Lazarus 
Young, who was drowned on the way up." 

Chairman ran his grist-mill from 1772 till 
October 24, 1774, when he sold the mill, forty 
acres of land, dwelling-house, etc., to Adonijah 
Stanljurrough (who came from Orange county. 
New York) for £400. Stanburrough ran the 
grist-mill until some time after the Revolution- 
ary War had begun, when, being a Loyalist or 
Tory, he was forced by the inhabitants to leave 
Wyoming. Before going away he placed the 
i\Iill Creek property in charge of his father, Jo- 
siah Stanburrough, then in the valley, and who 
was not a Tory. Adonijah having failed to 
pay Chapman the consideration money for the 
property, the latter sold the same November 16, 
1777, to Josiah the father, w-ho was in posses- 
sion. 

The mill was destroyed by the invading ene- 
my in July, 1778. About 1781 or '82 new 
mills were built on the Mill Creek site by Jo- 
siah Stanburrough. The new grist-mill was 
taken possession of by the Pennamites in the 
autumn of 1783 and given to a man friendly to 
the Pennsylvania cause. Repossession of the 
mill was gained by the Yankees a few months 
later, but May 1. 1784, it was again "taken by 
force from the inhabitants by the soldiers with 
large clubs." Soon thereafter the settlers toot 
possession of the mill by force, and "kept it 



60 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



running night and day to provide flour for 
themselves for future emergencies, as well as 
for their present wants." {Miner's Histpry, 
page 348.) 

After that Josiah Stanburrough continued to 
rvin the mill until Februarv, 1787, when, for 
£300 (about $1,000)* he conveyed the whole 
property to his daughter Elizabeth, wife of 
John Plollenback of Wilkes-Barre. Early in 
the last century the old mills were removed, and 
a new grist-mill was erected by Mrs. Hollen- 
baclv on the smith side of the creek. John 
ITollenback had died in 1797. Upon the death 
of Mrs. Hollenback in 1808 or 1809 the grist- 
mill became the property of her son, Matthias, 



site, and in 1848 E. A. Coray having become 
the owner of the site, erected a third mill, which 
is still standing, but has not been in use for 
the last few years. 

Post Office and Mail Facilities 

In 1777 a post route was established between 
Hartford, Conn, and the Wyoming valley, 
Wilkes-Barre being the chief settlement. Pre- 
vious to that date what little mail passed be- 
tween that point and the outside world had 
been carried )iy private messengers. The post- 
rider was Priucc l^)ryant, who made the trip 
once in. two weeks. During the period of the 
continued struggle between Pennsylvania and 







THE SUTTON MILL, 1776. 
(Courtesy of Wyoming Historical Society) 



Jr. In 1860 or'61 the mill was converted into 
a distillery, and two years later the building 
was turned into a dwelling-house. The build- 
ing was destroyed by fire about 1885. 

. . Sutton's Mill 

In 1776 James Sutton, in partnership with 
James Hadsall; put up the first grist-mill in the 
upper end' of Exeter township. It M^as located 
on the north side of Sutton's creek (now Coray's 
creek) near its confluence with the Susque- 
hanna river. Hadsall was murdered, and the 
mill Avas destroyed by the Indians and Tories 
just before the massacre of 1778, and the mill 
irons were carried away, except the crank, 
which is now preserved in the collections of the 
Wyoming Historical and Geological Society, 
Wilkes-Barre, as a relic of one of the earliest 
mills in the Wyoming Valley. 

Several years later Samuel Sutton, a sou of 
James, built a second grist-mill on the same 

*A "£'' in Connecticut currency was equal to $3.33. 



Connecticut for supremacy over Wyoming 
regular mail communication was interruiDted, 
and messages were carried to and fro by men 
employed by the settlers for that purpose. 

A post ofhce was established at Wilkes-Barre 
in 1794, with Lord Butler as postmaster, at the 
corner of River and Northampton streets. It 
was not until the organization of Luzerne 
county in 1786, that provision was made for a 
weekly mail between Wilkes-Barre and Easton. 
Clark Behee was the post-rider in 1797 (but we 
haA'e no proof that he wa,s the first over the 
route), during which year weekly mails were 
carried from Wilkes-Barre to Berwick, via Nan- 
ticoke, Newport and Nescopeck, the return route 
being via. lluiitinglon and Plymouth. At this 
time Wilkes-Barre was the only regularly es- 
tablished post-town in the county, and mail 
f(ir rcsidenis of llic tnwnsliips mentioned was 
left at certain hnuses within their limits cho.'^en 
by the ]30stmaster at Wilkes-Barre. 

A mail route was established between Wilkes- 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



61 



Barre and Great Bend in 1798, and another 
IxHwcea ^Vilke^i-lian-e and Owego, N. Y. The 
mails were received by the former route once a 
fortnight and by the latter once a week. Both 
were sustained by private contributions chiefly, 
if not entirely, like those of the early settlers 
before the Revolutionary War. It is said that 
subscribers to newspapers had to pay at the 
rate of $2 a year to the mail carrier for the 
privilege of receiving them. In 1800 Jonathan 
Hancock was a post-rider between Wilkes- 
Barre and Berwick. In 1803 Charles Mowery 
and a man named Peck carried the mails on 
foot between Wikes-Barre and Tioga, N. Y., 
making the trip oiice in two weeks. In 1810 
there were only two post offices in the valley, 
Wilkes-Barre and King-ston. In 1811 four 



Susquehanna River Akk 
A hundred years ago the only method they 
had of transporting in the Wyoming Valley was 
by the old-fashioned Susquehanna River Ark, 
which was floated down the river loaded with 
all sorts of things. They used arks for trans- 
porting common produce of all kinds — hay, 
grain,' apples, potatoes, coal, etc. These arks 
were about eighty or ninety feet long, thirty or 
forty feet wide, and four feet deep. They were 
made of rough timber at the place where the 
shipment started, and after they had reached 
their destination and were unloaded, the lumber 
was sold for whatever price they could get for it. 
In this way, for over t-Aventy years, the coal trade 
of the valley continued until the canals were 
built. 




A SUSQUEHANNA RIVER ARK, 1S08 



(Courtesy of AVyoming Historical Society) 



were established, viz.: at Pittston, Nescopeck, 
Abington and Providence. The Providence 
office was located in Slocum PIoUow, and Benj. 
Slocum appointed postmaster. In 1824 another 
was established in Blakely, and the same year 
the office at Slocum Hollow was moved to Pro- 
vidence, and John Vaughn apiaointed postmas- 
ter, and William ]\Ierrifield commissioned post- 
master of a new offlce at Hyde Park. The mail 
was carried once a week on horseback by Ze- 
phaniah Knapp, from Easton to Bethany, via. 
Wilkes-Barre and Providence. Later four and 
six-horse stage routes were established, and with 
the first railroad came added mail facilities, 
which have increased from year to year. 



As can be seen from the illustration, they 
were floated down the river by two men, who 
occupied the small hut erected u]3on the top of 
the ark. 

North Branch Canal 

The North Branch Canal was commenced in 
1828 and by 1830 completed to Nanticoke. 
The first boat was the "Wyoming," built at 
Shickshinny. This was the first canal boat 
coming to Luzerne countj^ The second boat, 
the "Luzerne," came in 1831. This was built 
on the bank opposite Wilkes-Barre, and that 
year made a successful trip to Philadelphia and 
return to Nanticoke dam. In 1834 the canal 



62 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



was completed as far as Lackawanna. The 
boats were kept busy from the Lackawanna to 
Philadelphia from the day of it>s oi^ening. It 
was the great outlet for the vast wealth rapidly 
developing in the valley. After 1834 the pro- 
gress of the canal was slow. In 1856, twenty- 
two years after its completion through the val- 
ley, the entire line was completed to Elmira. 
Here it connected with the New York canal. 

The North Branch division of the canal, from 
Northumberland to Elmira, cost the Common- 
wealth of Pennsylvania $4,658,491.12. Ground 
was first broken July 4, 1828, at Berwick. A 
great multitude assembled. The State officials 
were present, colors were flying and cannons 
booming. "Nathan Beach held the plow, and 
the yoke of red oxen were owned and driven 
by Alexander Jameson." 

"July 14, 1858, S. T. Lippincott left Pittston 
with five boats of coal and reached Elmira, and 
from there by New York canals to Buffalo, 
thence by steamboat to Cleveland, which he 
reached August 8, the first cargo of coal that 
ever passed beyond the mountains from Luzerne 
county." 

In 1858, only two years after its completion, 
the State sold the canal to the Sunbury & Erie 
Eailroad company. This was the beginning of 
the end. 

Abram May was captain of the first canal- 
boat running "between Pittston and Falls. He 
was a descendant of Cornelius Jacobus May who 
came to this country with the Puritans in 1620, 
and who was governor of the Mayflower colony. 

The Lehigh Valley Railroad. 

This great road was incorporated in 1846, 
under the name of the Delaware, Lehigh, 
Schuylkill and Susquehanna Railroad. A bare 
organization of officers of the contemplated 
road existed from 1846 until 1851. Up to this 
time only $444,371/2 had been expended for 
both surveying the route and building a frac- 
tion of a mile of the road merely for the pro- 
tection of its charter. 

October 81, 1851, Asa Packer, who was born 
in Connecticut in 1805, became the purchaser 
of a large amount of the stock which had been 
subscribed, and commenced efforts to get ad- 
ditional stock subscribed and the road con- 
structed. 

Robert H. Sayre was appointed chief engineer 
for the construction of the road, September 13, 
1852. On January 7, 1853, the name of the 
company was changed by Act of Assembly to 
the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, and on 
the 10th of the month James M. Porter was re- 
elected president, and John N. Hutchinson, 
secretary and treasurer. 



On February 12, 1853, a contract with Judge 
Asa Packer for the construction of the road was 
signed. But a formal agreement was made on 
the 27th of November, 1852, and Judge Packer 
inmicdiately connnenced on the deep rock cut 
at Easton. Judge Packer made some of the 
hardest cuts, and by sub-letting part of the work 
to other contractors who worked at other places, 
the work was completed in September, 1855, 
trains running over it between Easton and 
Mauch Chunk. In 1865 measures were adopt- 
ed to extend the road to White Haven, and in 
1867 it was extended to Wilkes-Barre. An ex- 
cursion was run from Tunkhannock to Lacey- 
ville, July 4, 1869, and by the end of the year 
the road was finished as far as the New York 
State line. The second track was laid alxiut 
1883. 




JESSE FELL'S SILHOUETTE 

This SiHiouette of Judge Fell, the only likeness ex- 
tant, is given by the courtesy of Oscar J. Harvey, Esq., 
from his "History of Lodge No. 61, F. and A. M., 
Wilkes-Barre." 

First Newspaper in Wyoming 

In 1795, two young men, whose names are 
unknown, came to Wilkes-Barre from Philadel- 
phia with a small jsress and a few cases of type. 



HISTOEY OF THE WYOMING A^ALLEY 



(53 



They printed The Herald of the Times, which 
was the first newspaper pubhshed in Luzerne 
county. Prior to this date, all notices, adver- 
tisements, etc., were posted up on the town 
sign-posts, the first of which was erected in 
Wilkes-Barre, in 1774. vU the second town 
meeting, held April 11th and 12th, 1774, it was 
voted "that for ye present ye tree that now 
stands northerly from Captain Butler's house 
shall be ye town sign-post. This house stood 
on the corner of Northampton and River streets 
in the town-plot, and the tree stood on the river 
bank. Without a newspaj^er, these sign-posts 
were very important. It was enacted that a 
sign-post be established in each town, on which 
notices of public sales, stray animals taken up, 
and other notices, should he posted to render 
them legal. 



Jesse Fell 

Jesse Fell, whose parents were members of 
the Society of Friends, or Quakers, was born 
in Bucks countv, Pennsylvania, April 16, 1751, 
and died at Wilkes-Barre August 11, 1830. 
With his wife and four children he settled in 
Wilkes-Barre in the latter part of 1785, and 
from 1788 rmtil his death he kept an inn at 
the sign of the "Buck," at the north-east cor- 
ner of the present Northampton and Washing- 
ton streets. For many years after his death the 
building — then considered modernized — was 
known as the "Old Fell House." 

Jesse Fell was Sheriff of Luzerne county from 
October, 1789 till January, 1792, when he was 
apijointed and commissioned Lieutenant of 
county to succeed Col. Zebulon Butler. ,In this 
office he served till April, 1793, when he was 




JESSE FELL'S INN, VS^ILKES-BARRB 

Corner of Washington and Northampton Streets 

(Courtesy of Wyoming- Historical Society) 



After a short period 7 he Herald of the Times 
was sold to Thomas Wright, and published by 
Josiah Wright under the name of the Wilkes- 
Barre Gazette. The first number was dated 
Nov. 29, 1797. 7 he Gazette was a well-edited 
paper, size 10x16 inches. It was sustained bv 
about 300 subscribers, at $2 per annum. In 
1801 it ceased to be published. 

Asher Miner established The Luzerne Fed- 
eralist, at Wilkes-Barre, Jan. 5, 1801. The 
press on which it was printed was brought from 
Norwich, Conn., on a sled, by Charles Miner 
and S. Howard. In 1809, it was purchased by 
Steuben Butler and Sidney Tracy. They en- 
larged the paper in 1811, and changed its name 
to The Gleaner. In a few months Mr. Tracy 
withdrew and was succeeded by Charles Miner. 
The Gleaner was discontinued "in 1818. 



commissioned Brigade Inspector of the "Lu- 
zerne Militia Brigade." In February, 1798, 
he was commis.sioned by Governor Mifflin one 
of the Associate Judges of the Courts of Lu- 
zerne County, and this office he filled with dig- 
nity and credit for a period of thirty-two and a 
half years, terminated only by his death. In 
1806 he was elected the first Burgess of the 
borough of Wilkes-Barre. Subsequently he 
served five consecutive terms as Burgess, from 
Mav, 1814 to May, 1819. Lie was a member 
of the Town Council for man}' vears, and served 
as its Pre,sident from May, 1809 to Mav, 1810; 
May, 1811 to May, 1814 and May, 1820" to May, 
1823. He held various other offices of trust and 
importance in the community. 

Jesse Fell was the first person to burn anthra- 
cite coal in a grate for fuel. This was on Feb. 



64 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



11, 1808. He made the experiment in the bar 
room of hi.s hotel at the corner of Washington 
and Northampton streets. He made a grate of 
small iron rods, ten inches in depth and ten 
inches in height, and set it up in the fireplace. 
After lighting the fire he found it worked very 
satisfactory. Such was the effect of this pleas- 
ing discovery, that in a few days there were a 
number of grates put in operation. This 
brought the stone coal into popular notice. 

Luzerne County 

Near the close of the year 1682, William 
Penn divided the province of Pennsylvania into 
the three counties of Philadelphia, Chester and 
Bucks. 



Northampton, with the county seat at Sunbury. 
'rhc Coimecticut settlers were then within the 
limits of this county. jVs the population in- 
creased, it was thought advisable to form a new 
county from the northern portion of Northum- 
berland. Accordingly, Luzerne county was or- 
ganized by the Act of September 25, 1786, and 
was named in honor of the Chevalier De la Lu- 
zerne, minister from Prance to the United 
States. He was born in 1741 at Paris. Then 
Luzerne county included parts of Bradford, Sul- 
livan and Carbon, and all of Susquehanna, Wy- 
oming and Lackawanna counties. 

Bradford county (called Ontario till March 
24, 1812) was formed of parts of Luzerne and 
Lycoming counties, Feb. 21, 1810, and the same 




THE OLD FELL, HOUSE ROOM AND FIRE PLACE 
The first and only picture of tlie room where Jesse Pell made his experiment, burning- 
anthracite coal in a grate, Feb. .11, 180S. From a pen and ink drawing by J. H. Parrott, 
made in 1895, now in the Historical Society Building, Wilkes-Barre. 
(Courtesy of W^yoming Historical Society) 



Bucks embraced all the north-eastern portion 
of the province. The "Walking Purchase" of 
September, 1737, placed the heirs of Penn in 
possession of the lands along the Delaware. The 
settlements rapidly extended northward, along 
the river. On March 11, 1752, Bucks county 
was divided, and Northampton county organiz- 
ed, with the seat of justice at Easton. This act 
placed the Wyoming Valley within the limits 
of the new county, from which all legal pro- 
cesses were issued. Prisoners taken in Wyom- 
ing were conveyed across the mountain to the 
Easton jail. 

By the Act of March 21, 1772, the county of 
Northumberland was organized from a part of 



day Susquehanna was organized from a part 
of Luzerne; Wyoming, April 4, 1842 and Lack- 
awanna vlugust 13, 1878. ■ The original terri- 
tory of Luzerne embraced five thousand square 
miles, exceeding in extent the state of Connec- 
ticut. In 1800 the poimlation was 12,838, and 
18,109 in 1810. 

Wilkes-Baere 

Wilkes-Barre was planned and laid out early 
in June, 1770, by Colonel .John Durkee. The 
plot, containing about two hmidred acres, was 
laid out on the level land lying just north-east 
of Fort Durkee. In the centre of this plot was 
laid out a diamond-shaped space, containing 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



65 



about four acres, which was called the "Centre 
Square," but for several years has been known 
as "Public Square." The land between River 
street and the river, containing some thirty-five 
acres, also remained as public property, and is 
now known as the "River Common." _ Wilkes- 
Barre was named in honor of John Wilkes and 




ijXK ui' JESSE FELL'S GRATES 

The only one now extant, and now 

in Historical Society Building. 

C(jl(inel Isaac Barre, members of the British 
Parliament, and warm friends of the American 
colonies during the Revolution. The first 
dwelling within this plot was a log-cabin built 
in 1769, by John Abliott, on the south-west cor- 
ner of Main and Northampton streets. In 1772, 
there were only five white women in Wilkes- 
Bari'e, but, several others came that summer. 
In 1784, the whole number of buildings 
amounteci to twenty-six, of which twenty-three 
were burnt by the Pennamites. 

Wilke,?-Barre Avas incorporated a borough, 
March 17, 1806, and Jes.se Fell was elected the 
first burgess. The population at that time was 
about 500. 

The city of Wilkes-Barre was incorporated 
by an Act of Assembly, approved May 24, 1871, 
and included the borough of Wilkes-Barre and 
all of the township of Wilkes-Barre lying west 
of the old Empire road, projecting northerly to 
the township line of Plains and southerly to the 
township line of Hanover. The population 
was then (1870) 10,174. In August, 1898, 
Wilkes-Barre became a third class city. It is 
divided into sixteen wards, containing about five 
square miles or 3,682 acres. The population in 
1900, was 51,721 and 67,105 in 1910. 

Luzerne County Court Houses 

"The Act of Assembly forming Luzerne coun- 
ty, named Zebulon Butler, Jonah Rogers, Simon 
Spaulding, Nathaniel Landon and John Phil- 
ips, as trustees to locate and to erect a court- 



house and jail. This they did, on the silo of 
the old fori in the puljlic sc[uare in Wilkes-Bar- 
re. This building was about 25x50 feet, con- 
structed of hewn logs, two stories high, with 
outside steps leading to the court room on the 
second floor. The first story was used as a jail 
and the jailor's residence. This primitive tem- 
ple of justice was comi^leted in 1791, and Ste- 
phen Tuttle, whose good wife placed her cake 
and beer sign over the door of the first story, 
was appointed first jailor. 

"On one occasion, during the sitting of the 
Supreme Court, an unusual noise disturbed his 
Honor, Judge McKean, who, in a stern voice, 
commanded .silence. The noise, however, con- 
tinued, when the court sent for Mr. Tuttle, who 
evidently much incensed, informed his honor 
that the d — d hogs had got at his corn in the 




CHEVALIER DB LA LUZERNE 
(Courtesy of Wyoming Historical Society) 

garret by coming up the outside steps in the 
morning. Mr. Tuttle was ordered to eject the 
intruders forthwith. There proved to be but one 
hog, which rushed forth with a tremendous 
grunt, capsizing Mr. Tuttle, together with the 
gravity of the court. After a few years it was 
resolved to erect a new building for the courts. 

THE SECOND COURT-HOUSE 

"In 1801, Lawrence Myers, Eleazer Black- 
man and Thomas Wright, county commission- 
ers, procured the plan of a court-house in Fred- 
ericksburg, Maryland, for which they paid 
$17.07. The old log court-house was removed 



m 



HTSTOHY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 




THE PUBLIC SQUARE, WILKES-BARRE. 1845 
(From "Day's Historical Collection of Pennsylvania" 



by Joseph Hitchcock, the contractor for the con- 
struction of the new edifice, but it continued to 
be occupied by the courts until 1804, when the 
new building was completed, and the old one 
was converted into the Wilkes-Barre Academy. 
The new structure, in the form of a cross, de- 
clared by the commissioners to be 'most elegant 
and convenient,' was erected on the site of the 
old log court-house. Including furniture and 
fixtures, it cost $9,356. 06. There were thirty- 
two and one-half gallons of whiskej' used at the 
raising of this building; a fact which demon- 



THE THIRD COURT-HOUSE 

"Jn 1855, a bill authorizing the erection of a 
new court-house passed the General Assembly, 
and became a law. The commissioners_of Lu- 
zerene county invited Lodge No. 61, Free and 
Accepted Ancient York Masons to lay the cor- 
ner-stone of the third court-house, August 12, 
1856 in the public square in Wilkes-Barre, upon 
the site of the former building. Hon. John N. 
Conyngham was invited by the lodge to deliver 
an address appropriate for the occasion. A 




SOUTH. MAIN STREET, WILKES-BARRE PROM THE PUBLIC SQUARE. 19C 8. 
(From "Board of Trade Journal") 



strates either the great capacity of the people 
of that day for ardent spirits, or else the pres- 
ence of a large number of consumers. 

"The bell, the tones of which have quickened 
the pulsations of the hearts of so many i^rison- 
ers, of plaintiffs and of defendants, was cast in 
Philadeliahia, by George Hedderly, in 1805. 

"The judges of the Supreme Court, who .sat 
in this court-house and in the original log-build- 
ing, were McKean, Tilghman, Breckenridge, 
Smith and Yeates. 



large concourse of citizens, including a number 
of ladies, were in attendance to witness the pro- 
ceedings. The main building, used for county 
offices, was 100 feet in front by 55 feet in depth. 
The court-room was 50x75 feet. The rear 
building, 30x65 feet, was occupied by the 
.judges, lawyers and jury rooms. The tower 
was 118 feet in height. The architect was J. 
C. Wells of New York. It cost about $85,000, 
including furniture, etc." — Annals of Luzerne 
County. 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMINO VALLEY 



67 



THE FOURTH COUKT-HOUSE 

The present court-house was completed in 
1909, at a cost of nearly $1,00().0()0. This is a 
handsome building, erected at the northern end 
of the River Common, near the Luzerne Countj' 
Jail. The jail was erected hi 1869. It is an 
expensive and substantial building of stone and 
brick. The old court-house was torn down in 
1909. 

Matches 

Friction matches are a comparatively modern 
invention. They were first made in the United 
States in 1836 by L. C. Alhu, of Springfield, 
Mass. Before this time a chimsv form of match 



Scenery and History of Wyoming 
Written by E. I. Wolfe. 

Various Indian villages were located here as 
recently as one hundred and fifty years ago. 
Two of the most important are known to have 
been at Forty Fort and at Firwood, South 
Wilkes-Barre. Aside from a few handfuls of 
relics, almost the only remaining vestige of the 
inhaljitants here at that time, appears in the 
word Wyoming. 

The first white settlers here found an oval- 
shaped embankment resembling the work of 
the Mound Builders of the Ohio ^^alley, and 
located a few rods northwest of where the D. L. 
& W. Depot at Kingston now stands. This and 




THE SECOND COURT-liUL'SE IN LUZERNE COUNTY, 1804. 
(Courtesy of Wyoming Historical Society) 



-was imported from France, which had to be 
dipped into a bottle of sulphuric acid before it 
was lighted. 

This took a great deal of time and trouble, 
and Allin, seeing the necessity of friction 
matches set about to make them, andsucceeded. 
He neglected to patent them, however, and on 
finally applying for a patent, found that a man 
named Phillips, who was a peddler, had dis- 
covered through a third person the secret of 
making the matches and had already obtained 
a patent. Allin, though the real inventor, was 
forced to become a mere manufacturer under 
another man's patent. 



other similar mounds leave little doubt that 
at least two races before our own have found 
and occupied "Fair Wyoming." But those 
earlier people, who may have been prosperous 
and powerful here many years ago, have left us 
not even a word to remember them by. 

Of the aboriginal inhabitants then, we have 
few facts and almost no monuments. On the 
other hand, this valley fairly bristles with 
points that became historically interesting dur- 
ing those strenuous first years of white settle- 
ment. One hundred and fifty years — only two 
lifetimes-ago, there was not a single white man 
living in Wyoming ^^alley. With the settle- 



68 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



mpiit, began the stmoglo ; and tlie tra.c'edy of 
Wy()ii)in<>' is one of (lie uiosl (lirilliii.Li, as well 
as one of the most hearl-rendint;- in all liis(t)i'y. 
All northern Pennsylvania was included in a 
grant made by the King to Connecticut several 
years before the same land was granted in mis- 
take, to William Penn. The Connecticut peo- 
ple also were first to purchase the land from the 
Indians, and first to take possession; so that 
this section, when first settled, was understood 
to be located in Litchfield (afterwards West- 
moreland) county in the State of Connecticut. 
The authorities of Pennsylvania disputed the 
claims of the Connecticut settlers as to both 
ownership and jurisdiction ; which resulted in 



of the Connecticut settlers at that time. 

Twenty miles from Tilbury Knob, and at 
the op])osile end of the valley, stands Camp- 
bell's Ledge, so named in lionor of Thomas 
Campbell, English poet and author of "Ger- 
trude of Wyoming." From the summit of 
Campbell's Ledge, you may gaze over the en- 
tire area of Wyoming Valley and a vast terri- 
tory besides. Or you may look several hun- 
dred feet straight down to where at the base of 
the cliff ran the great Indian highway of com- 
munication between the Long House of the 
Iroquois and their tributary people on the Le- 
high and Delaware rivers. This path came 
down the river past the Ledge, crossed the 




OLD FORTY FORT CHURCH 
The Oldest Church in Wyoming Valley, 1807 



a series of persistent and often bloody strug- 
gles, beginning in 1769, continuing for nearly 
twenty years. These are known in history as 
the Pennamite Wars. 

Two simple monuments on the Elver Com- 
mon in Wilkes-Barre show the location of two 
forts that ligured prominently in the Penna- 
mite Wars. Fierce fights occurred in the 
neighborhood of these and several other small 
forts; but perhaps the most famous of these 
wars was known as the Battle of Nanticoke 
Falls. This spot, the site of the present Nanti- 
coke Dam, is at the extreme southwestern end 
of the valley and at the foot of the beautiful 
ledge called Tilbury Knob — a place well w^orth 
\-isiting either for its natural beauty or for its 
historical interest. Here on Christmas Eve. 
1775, Colonel Plunket with seven hundred 
milita, mostly from Northumberland, was met 
and utterly defeated by the three hundred men 
and boys constituting the total effective force 



Lackawanna, and struck over the mountain to- 
ward where Easton now is. 

Nearly midway between these famous and 
beautiful ledges, and three or four miles east 
of the Wyoming Seminary, is Prospect Rock, 
which richly deserves its name. Just beyond 
the Rock, on the road to Laurel Run, a tasteful 
marker shows where on April 20, 1779, a com- 
pany of soldiers marching to Wyoming to pro- 
tect what was left of the settlements here was 
ambushed and six, including two officers w-ere 
killed. 

And so all through the valley, beautiful scen- 
ery and thrilling history await the observer. 
You may stand on the very spot where Frances 
Slocnm stood when she was seized and carried 
off by the Indians despite the pleadings of her 
mother, and to be next heard from after nearly 
sixty years. You may study Colonial church 
architecture in the old Forty Fort Church, and 
a few rods away, on the river bank a small 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



69 



monument will show you the location of Forty 
Fort, the principal refuge of the white settlers 
at the time of the Battle and massacre of Wyom- 
ing, iln connection with your visits to this 
marker and to the great Wyoming Monument, 
Queen Esther's Rock, and other points con- 
nected with the history of this valley, you will. 



of course, want to review for yourself the his- 
tory of those times. You are always welcome 
at the Wyoming Historical Rooms in the rear 
of the Osterhout Library in Wilkes-Barre ; and 
there in addition to a very interesting display 
of relics, you will find one of the finest histori- 
cal libraries in the country. 



CHAPTER NINE 

EARLY SETTLERS ALONG THE SUSQUEHANNA 



The fdllowiug inlorcsliiig account of .Tolui 
Gardner appeared in The Wyoming Democrat, 
published at Tunkhannock, under date of .Janu- 
ary 12, 1876: 

THE GARDNEES OF GARDNER'S FERRY 

John Gardner settled in E.xeter (now Ransom 
township), six miles above the mouth ot the Lacka- 
wanna river in 1769. He was chosen a town offi- 
cer at the first election in 1774, and was a promi- 
nent and patriotic citizen. Three days before the 
great Wyoming Massacre, he was one of the Hard- 
ing and Hadsall company, and was surprised while 
in a cornfield and captured. Although aged and 
lame no mercy was shown him. Esq. Harding and 
Mr. .Jenkins state that his heart-broken wife was 
allowed to make him a brief visit. Mr. Gardner, 
feeling that he would return no more gave her his 
best advices as to family affairs. Both were fore- 
warned against manifesting any feeling under the 
terrible scenes surrounding them, and parted hope- 
less of seeing each otlier again. 

Dr. Peck says in his history of Wyoming, that 
"Mrs. Jenkins, wife of Lieutenant Jenkins, was 
witli Mrs. Gardner at Fort Jenkins, after its capitu- 
lation. The husband of Mrs. Gardner was a pris- 
oner in the hands of the Indians and Tories, and 
she wished much to see him once more and asked 
Mrs. Jenkins to accompany her. Having consented 
and obtained a leave, they started under escort of 
young Wintermoot, a Tory, who offered to go with 
them upon the condition tliat they would manifest 
no surprise or sorrow at the sight they might see, 
telling them at the same time, that they would be- 
hold many strange and heartrending scenes." 

"They, therefore, scliooled themselves to appear 
indifferent, and entered the camp as coolly as pos- 
sible. Mrs. Gardner obtained an interview with 
her husband, who told her that he was well aware 
they would never meet again. He was lame and 
knowing that if unable to keep pace with his cap- 
tors when on the march, they would kill him. He 
advised her to take their children and go to Con- 
necticut and remain there with her friends, until 
the trouble being over in Wyoming, it would be 
safe to return and live upon the farm he had pur- 
chased, bidding her a final farewell. During all 
the time she had such possession of herself as 
to exhibit no outward sign of sorrow. Mrs. Jen- 
kins also told us that the Indians were at that time 
busily engaged in burning their victims. They had 
thrown down an old dry pine fence, and piled upon 
it the dead, wounded, and some unhurt white men 
added more conbustible matter, and set it on fire; 
and' that the whole line of the fence was filled 



with the charred bones and flesh of the poor crea- 
tures and men still burning; an awful sight, and 
I do not doubt her statement ot the facts." 

Mr. Miner gives the following account of Mr. 
Gardner's captivity and death: "One taken at 
Exeter the first of July, 1778, when the Hardings 
and Hadsalls were killed, deserve our special no- 
tice. Mr. John Gardner was a husband and father, 
a highly respectable man, against whom an unap- 
peasable spirit of enmity is supposed to have ex- 
isted. On the morning of the Fourth, his wife and 
child were permitted to see and take leave of him. 
Blisha Harding, Esq., then a boy, was present, and 
represents the scene as extremely affecting. When 
the last adieu was exchanged, an Indian placed a 
grievous load upon his shoulders, which he could 
scarcely raibe, then put a halter around his neck 
and led him off as he would a beast. The fare- 
well expressed the sentiment — I go to return no 
more. Exhausted with fatigue, before he arrived 
at his captor's home (James Hadsall says, he fell 
at Standing Stone, Pa., crushed by the weight of 
his load when he was handed over to the squaws 
for torture, who stuck his body full ot the slivers 
of pine knots and tortured him to death by fire. 
Daniel Carr, a fellow-prisoner (who later escaped), 
saw the remains the following day, and represented 
it as a sight to awaken to deepest pity." 

"John Gardner was the son of Perigreen Gard- 
ner of East Greenwich, R. I., who married Susan- 
nah Robinson of South Kingston, R. I., in April, 
1731. John was the second son, and was born 
May 9, 17 3 7, and was consequently a little over 41 
years of age at the time he was captured by the 
Indians and Tories. His wife's name was Elizabeth 
Mumford, and they had five children to wit: Rich- 
ard, Thankful, John, Benjamin and Betsy. Eliza- 
beth, the wife or widow, died August 24, 1834, 
aged 91 years, 5 months and 2 5 days. Richard, 
the oldest son, was born July 8, 1767, and married 
in 1788 to Lydia Chapman, she died May 23, 1828, 
aged 61 years. Thankful was born in 1770; John, 
born January 9, 1773, and died March 30, 183 6;^ 
Benjamin was born in 177.5, and Betsy in 1778." 

"John Gardner had two brothers, Stephen and 
Perigreen, who came and settled at Wyoming about 
the same time with him, and were active partici- 
pants in all the struggles of the settlers against the 
forays of the British, Indians, Tories and Penna- 
mites. His father, Perigreen, removed to and lived 
in New London, Conn., as early as 1747. 

"There was a Thomas Gardner in Exeter, on 
the west side of the Susquehanna river, who was 
a cousin of John. The elder Stephen Harding, 
married his sister. He v/as a son of Stephen Gard- 
ner, brother of Perigreen. Stephen moved to Col- 



70 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



Chester, Conn., as early as 1743, and settled at the 
north end of a small lake, called Gardner's Lake, 
where he kept a public house in connection with a 
large dairy farm." 

John Gardner was a man of large size and com- 
manding appearance, the noblest and finest looking 
man of his time. 

His wife (Elizabeth Mumford before marriage) 
carried out the instructions given her by her hus- 
band at their last farewell interview, as best she 
could, before leaving for Connecticut in 177S. She 
buried her household goods, not knowing but she 
might return for them after the trouble was over 
in Wyoming* 

What fearful times these were. The strength 
of the settlement was gone. The husbands, sons 
and brothers, who were expected to clear the farms 
and raise the bread, had perished upon the battle- 
field or been led away into hopeless bondage. A 
few old men leaning upon their staves, mothers 
with infants at their breasts, and boys and girls of 
tender age, were left in a country overrun by mur- 
derous savages, without food, and often stripped 
of their clothing, until not enough was left to screen 
their bodies from the extremities of the weather; 
and in this condition obliged to imdertake a long 
journey through the wilderness on foot. 

Mrs. Gardner having arranged matters and things 
as best as she could made her way back to Connec- 
ticut with her four children: Richard, John, Jr., 
Thankful and Benjamin M. The last named then 
a nursing infant in her arms, the others walking 
with her the long weary way, suffering indescrib- 
ably from hunger and weakness, yet all surviving. 
Why did she not faint, or give herself up to incon- 
solable grief or to utter despair? Ah! the wo- 
men of those times were made of stern stuff. How 
nobly thoy bore themselves when the storm beat 
furiously upon them. There was a religious ele- 
ment in their character, says Dr. Peck in his His- 
tory, that went to their relief in that terrible day 
of need. 

The following was printed in the Wyoming 
Democrat of Tunkhaiinock, January 26, 1876; 

"At Fort Jenkins, the uppermost in the valley, 
and only a mile above Wintermoots, there were 
gathered the families of the old patriots, John Jen- 
kins, Esq., the Hardings and Gardners distinguished 
for zeal, with others. The fort consisted of a 
house built of hewed logs, and surrounded by a 
stockade. 

"Not apprised of the contiguity of the savages, 
on the morning of June 30th, 177S, Benjamin Hard- 
ing, Stukley Harding, John Hadsall, a boy, James 
Hadsall, James Hadsall, Jr., Daniel Wallen, John 



■'•About 1846, John Stout, tlien owner of the John 
Gardner farm, plowed up neai' a mulberry tree, in 
front of the old tavern house, .some crockery, pew- 
tei' platters, cliinaware and several articles of hard- 
ware, such as pots, kettles, spiders, axes, augers, 
etc., supposed to h;ive been those buried by the 
Gardner family after the massacre, before they 
left for Connecticut. If so, the goods buried were 
not found on their return to the valley, and 
were a total loss to them. Christopher Taylor, who 
then lived in Newton, was present at the time they 
were plowed up, and took some of the articles home 
which he kept as relics of the olden time along the 
Susquehanna. 



Gardner and Daniel Carr, eight in all, took their 
arms and went up the river about six miles into 
Exeter township (opposite what is now Ransom), 
to their labor. Toward evening, at an hour when 
aid could not be expected, they were attacked. 
That they had fought bravely was admitted by the 
enemy. Wallen, Gardner and Carr were taken 
prisoners. James Hadsall and his son, James, 
Jr., Benjamin and Stukley Harding were killed. 
John Hadsall, the boy, threw himself into the 
river, and lay under the willows, with his mouth 
just above the surface. He heard with anguish 
the dying groans of his friends. Knowing he was 
near, the Indians searched carefully for him. At 
one time they were so close that he could have 
touched them. Two Indians, who were watching 
the dead, expecting that friends might come to take 
away the bodies, and they might obtain other vic- 
tims, were shot, one where he sat, the other in the 
river to which he had fled. 

"It is said that one of the Indians wau shot by 
Zebulon Marcy, and a brother of the Indun killed 
hunted for Marcy for several years, and finally 
found and waylaid him, swearing he would have 
revenge." 

THE UPPER SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY 
Copyright, 1912, by Edson W. Safford 

Great rivers are always prominent factors in 
the development and history of a people. They 
are always interesting to the geologist and scien- 
tist, as well as the historian. Poets and orators 
have exhausted their imagination and powers 
of speech to describe the beauties and import- 
ance of the great rivers of all civilized countries. 
But the Susquehanna almost defies description. 
Always it is referred to as the "beautiful Sus- 
quehanna." 

It drains the central part of the State of 
Pennsylvania and flows southward to the Chesa- 
peake Bay. One historian well describes it in 
a sentence as "A broad, rapid, shallow, moun- 
tain stream, famous for its varied and romantic 
views." It would take a book of hundreds of 
pages to describe this picturesque river and the 
land through which it flows. 

From pioneer days to the close of the Rebel- 
lion its history forms the most important pages 
of the story of the Republic. Her people have 
produced pioneers, heroes, statesmen, philoso- 
13hers and financiers who have contributed to 
the poi^ulation of the western states. 

Its vast, original foi'ests of white oak, hick- 
ory, M'alnut, maple, cherry, birch, beech, ash, 
chestnut, basswood, white pine and hemlock 
have furnished unnumbered fortunes to the 
lumberman and tanner. Her coal and mineral 
wealth, since the first rude forge was built on 
her banks in the seventeenth century, has been 
and still is a national resource. All these things 
have been accepted as a matter of course, and 
have gone without special notice or comment. 
In fact the boomer for other sections has been 
prone to disparage and discouot this great val- 
ley in order to more rapidly draw from her 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



71 



population and wealth. 

Nevertheless, the Upper Susquehanna Valley 
has steadily increased in both population and 
wealth, as well as to constantly advance in social 
and educational advantages. The future holds 
great opportunities for this region. 

Good Grazing Land 
The uj^per valley is like an elevated plateau, 
through which the beautiful Susquehanna 
winds in graceful, sweeping curves. Her num- 
erous tributaries are supplied by a regular rain- 
fall, which is marvelously stored among the lit- 
tle hills and dales in innumerable small lakes 
and underground veins which break out at the 
surface in springs of clear, pure, cold water. 



County, Pennsylvania, about seventy miles; at 
Pittston the stream turns again sharply back to 
its course toward the Chesapeake Bay. Thus 
the river has traveled a course of about 200 
miles to gain a distance of 65 miles. 

Within this loop formed by the beautiful 
Susquehanna, is the countj^ of Susquehanna, a 
great part of Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wyoming 
and Bradford in Pennsylvania, and a part of 
Tioga and Broome counties in the State of New 
York. 

It has been asserted by travelers and observ- 
ing people that the natural verdure, especially 
the grass of this region, is different from any 
other section of the two states. That it is the 
same as the blue grass region of Kentucky. 




THE STARRUCCA VIADUCT, LANESBORO. PA. 



These springs and lakes are the fountain head 
of many streams which make their way in every 
direction through the plains and banks of the 
ever increasing river. 

Many of these tributary creeks have excellent 
natural Avater power, which have in the past, 
and will more in the future, when enterprise 
becomes disinthralled from monopoly, turn the 
wheels of industrial manufacture. 

Owing to the annual rainfall and the marvel- 
ous natural system of water storage, the pastur- 
age of this region is rich and ahundant. 

The upper valley of the river here described 
is sometimes called the "great bend' of the Sus- 
quehanna. Beginning at Lanesboro, Susque- 
hanna County, Pennsylvania, the river turns 
from its general course and flows westward 
about twenty miles; thence northwest to Bing- 
hamton. New York, about twenty-five miles: 
thence nearly due west to Sayre, Pennsylvania, 
about sixty miles; thence south to Towanda, 
Bradford County, Pennsylvania, about twenty- 
five miles ; thence southeast to Pittston, Luzerne 



Be that as it may, certain it is that verdant 
pasturage of rich nutritious grass grows natu- 
rally in this section. 

Experience shows that if land is plowed here 
and left without seeding, it will come back to 
natural grass and sod in due time. 

The soil in this section is diversified. On the 
river and creek bottoms it is a sandy loam ; on 
the hillsides a clay loam ; on the upper jjleateaus 
and hilltops, in places red shale, (always very 
rich, productive grain land) mostly clay loam. 

It produces abundant crops under thorough 
tillage; and increases in fertility and retains its 
strength under modern methods of cropping 
and fertilization. 

Fruit Culture 
The land and climate is well adapted to the 
apple, pear, plum, cherry and grape. While in 
some localities, peaches in the perfection of 
flavor are raised successfully. The strawberry, 
blackberry and raspberry grow spontaneous, 
and when cultivated the yield is very abundant 



72 



HISTORY OF THE WYOMING VALLEY 



and of the highest qualitj' of fruit. 

Dr. J. li. Funk of Boyerstown, Pennsylva- 
nia, lecturing on connnercial orcharding before 
a Farmer's Institute at Montrose, declared that 
this section of the state was well adapted to 
fruit. He pointed out that this latitude, be- 
tween 39 degrees and 43 degrees was the best. 
That the altitude— about 1,500 feet— was suf- 
ficient to secure air drainage, which is now 
known to be important for all vinous and tree 
fruits. That the natural land drainage and 
right soil existed to pnjduce vigorcjus trees. 

But horticulture for the Ujjper Susquehanna 
Valley does not depend upon theory, dt is an 
esta))lished success. The first settlers planted 
oi'chards; the trees grew and fruited so abun- 
dantly that choice fruit, csjiecially apples, Avere 
annually harvested without any effort of culti- 
vation. 

As the land was cleared of the original for- 
ests, small fruits, such as the blackberry, red 
and black raspberry and strawberry grew spon- 
taneously. The enormous quantities of these 
fruits growing in the cleared fields helped sub- 
stantially in supplying the table of the early 
settlers. Every thrifty housewife laid by a gen- 
erous supply of dried blackberries for winter 
use. . . .. 

Nature has thus demonstrated that this. valley 
is well adapted to fruit. The people for.. genera- 
tions, having gathered fruits produced by' na- 
ture's bounty, have for this reason been slow to 
develop the industry of systematic and improv- 
ed horticulture. But the rapid and continuous 
growth of population in the manufacturing and 
mining districts of New York and Pennsylvania 
has created an enormous demand for apples 
and small fruits, which is not half supplied. 
Therefore, progressive farmers are now turning 
their attention to modern horticulture and com- 
mercial orcharding. 

There are already a few small orchards which 
have become famous in their abundant and pro- 
fitable yield of choice market fruit. 

Commercial Orcharding 

While in the past fruit growing in the upper 
Susquehanna valley has been conducted in a 
sort of haphazard way, it is now quite evident 
that a change is taking place, and some of the 
keen visioned, progressive citizens are planting 
large orchards. 

It is no experiment. The thorough cultiva- 
tion and systematic marketing of the apple, 
pear and even the pcacb, accdrding to modern 
methods, will niakr this valley rich and famous. 

Dairying 

Another important indu,stry in this region is 
dairying.. The .natural pasturage of the Sus- 



quehanna plateau has been for years a prime 
source of her wealth. Along the broad eleva- 
tions of land between the numerous tributaries 
to the Susquehanna, is sprinkled numerous lit- 
tle lakes, covering from one to two hundred 
acres; having a depth of from fifteen to fifty 
feet, of clear, sparkling water. These lakes 
really consist of several great springs, cropping 
out in a basin formation of the surface. The 
water is held back until it overflows the edge of 
the basin at the lowest point, and goes gurgling 
down through ever widening dales to the great 
river. Along the sides and over the crests of 
these small valleys other springs crop out every- 
where. Clear, sparkling, cokl, soft water. 

It is needless to say that this wonderful na- 
tural system of water fountains furnishes a 
never failing water supply for stock not surpass- 
ed anywhere in the world. Rich, nutritious 
grasses grow naturally in the Upper Susque- 
hanna Valley. 

Recently, under the auspices of the Agricul- 
tural Department of the Lehigh Valley Rail- 
road Company, dairymen's associations are be- 
ing formed for the s.ystematic feeding and test- 
ing of milch cows. Through these associations 
the "robber cow." will be eliminated, and the 
whole dairy business of this section will be 
brought to a basis of systematic business, which 
will begin a new era for eastern dairymen and 
stock breeders. 

The Sulky Plq-w 

Modern method of agriculture is already hav- 
ing its effect to improve the conditions of the 
eastern farmer. A whole chapter might be writ- 
ten on the sulky plow, which is a practical tool 
in the valley of the Susquehanna. Farmers are 
finding out that it will do good work on our 
roughest and stoniest fields. One man with a 
modern sulky plow and a pair of heavy horses, 
will turn over more than twice the acres that 
could be plowed by hand and do it much better. 
Thus the drudgery of the eastern farmer disap- 
pears. 

Cheap Land 

AVhy then, with all these advantages, does 
Pennsylvania land continue so cheap? This 
cjuestion can be easily answered. 

First. Free land under the homestead law, 
has caused a constant drain on our population 
and resources. 

Second. The boomer has always existed 
in every section of the United States except the 
iinrtheastern, for the reason that land here al- 
ways commanded a price, and of course, could 
not compete against free land. 

Third. It must be admitted that tne eastern 



HISTORY OF TliE WYOMING VALLEY 



73 



fariner has been slow to adopt modern methods 
of agriculture. 

But the lure of nearby cities, with their glim- 
mer of high wages and big salaries, together 
with a thirst for a more thorough education, has 
been the chief factor in drawing our young men 
from the farms. 

The enactment of the homestead law and the 
discovery of gold in California were almost sim- 
ultaneous. Under all these conditions the rural 
counties of many of the eastern states have 
shown a decrease in population, and have now 
become the district of cheap lands in the United 
States. 

Good machine tilled farms, fenced, improved 
with small orchards, big dairy barns, horse 
barns, chickeries, hog houses, graneries, silos, 
wagon sheds, tool houses, ice-houses and good 
comfortable dwellings, all built with a lavish 
use of lumber from the very farm upon which 
they stand, can now be bought for less than the 
cost of erecting the buildings and fences at the 
present time. Most of the farms have running- 
spring water to the buildings and in the pas- 
tures. 

Of course, the land is not smooth and level 
like a prairie, but its nearness to the market 
more than makes up for the cost of tillage. 

Soil Fertility 

Some of the land is rough and stony; some 
of the side hills are steep, but comparatively few 
acres are steep or rough enough to prevent the 
use of sulky plows, mowing machines, reapers 
and binders. If a man wants a level farm he 
can find it in the creek and river valleys. Some 
prefer the sloping side hill. Some of our very 
best farms are on the top of the hills. 

The soil on the creek and river bottoms is a 
sandy loam, generally free from stones; on the 
uplands it is clay loam, with now and then a 
formation of red shale, which is always con- 
sidered especially good grain land. The soil of 
the upland being mixed with small stones, is 
free and loose. It readily absorbs the regular 
rainfalls, and resists drought to a remarkable 
degree. It retains applied stable manure and 
lime, and under improved and scientific meth- 
ods of agriculture increases in fertility and pro- 
duction. 

It is proven by U. S. Agricultural statistics 
that Pennsylvania farms produce as much pev 
acre of corn, oats, wheat, rye and timothy hay, 
as the prairie land. 

Cheap Fuel 

Most of the farms in this section have a small 
piece of woods left, from ten to thirty or forty 
acres, which furnishes a constant supply of fuel, 
and lumber to repair buildings. 



iln the past our land owners have been care- 
less and wasteful of their forest trees. But now 
they are more careful, and realize that a few 
acres of woodland adds substantial value to a 
farm property. 

Climate 

All tourists and travelers are enthusiastic in 
their praise of the Upper Susquehanna Valley 
in the summer time. The days are glorious, 
and usually comfortable for the labor of both 
man and bea.st; no malaria; no miasina;_no 
blasting desert winds or blizzards; no sizzling 
enervating torrid heat ; no mosquitoes or poison- 
ous insects. 

The long days of bright sunshine; copious 
showers; the early and latter rains all combine 
to bring abundant crops and a salubrious dim- 
ate. The four distinct seasons, viz.: Winter, 
Spring, Summer and Fall, are plainly marked 
by actual weather conditions. There are no ex- 
tremes of heat or cold, wet or dry. In winter 
the ground is usually covered with snow 
through January and February, with sufficient 
quantity to make good sleighing most of the 
time. The approach of winter is generally very 
gradual, warm, pleasant weather continuing 
through the months of October and November. 

The average temperature of the month of De- 
cember in northeast Pennsylvania during the 
l^ast forty-seven years, as kept by Mr. Theodore 
Dav, of 'Dyberry, Pa., was 25.4 degrees. In 
mid-summer, during June, July and August, 
there are many very hot days, relieved, how- 
ever, by a good breeze. 

Crops 

Corn has been the standard crop here since 
the country was first settled by the Connecticut 
pioneer. Rye, oats, buckwheat, potatoes and 
timothy hay are the regular and profitable crops. 

Educational and Social Advantages 

The Pennsylvania common school system is 
excellent. Many of the modern high schools 
prepare for college entrance ; and the graduates 
of the county high schools are fully ]irepared to 
take up the regular courses of all colleges and 
universities of "the eastern states, except about 
three. 

Some of the famous and well established col- 
leges of this country are within a day's .journey 
of the Upper Susquehanna Valley. Some of 
the very best are within the valley. Bucknell 
University, Lewisburg, Pa., is situate on the 
west branch of the Susquehanna, and conven- 
ient to northeast Pennsylvania. Its campus, 
formed by nature as well as art, slopes steep and 
high above the river, protected by the grateful 



74 



HISTORY OF LAOKAWAiNNA COUNTY 



shade of fine clni, maple, oak and other native 
trees. Beyond and below the campus is an ex- 
tensive athletic field, all commanding a most 
surpassing view of tlie great river valley at the 
point of confluence of the two branches. 

Nature surely provided the site for Bucknell 
University. This great institution is engaged 
in the work of character building, as well as 
higher education, and well earns and deserves 



the success she attains. 

Church Pkivileges 

^VU the leading Christian denominations arc 
represented in the many cities, towns, hamlets 
and country districts all through the valley. 
Most of their pulpits are supplied with able, 
educated pa.stors and prcacliers, and the religi- 
ous influence is strong and uncompromising. 



CHAPTER TEN 



A BRIEF HISTORY OF LACKAWANNA COUNTY 



The name, Lackawannock or Lackawanna, 
is derived from the Delaware Indian language, 
and it has come to its present form through 
many corruptions. One historian has written, 
"Lackawanna is a corruption of the .Indian 
Lee-ha-ugh-hunt or Lee-haw-hanna. The pre- 
fix Lee ha or Lee haw, signifies the point of 
intersection; hanna, as in Susquelianna, Toby- 
hanna, Toppahannock, Rappahannock, Tunk- 
hannock, and Tunkhanna, implies, in Indian 
language, a stream of water." Hence, the 
original meaning of the word Lackawanna, is 
the place where two streams meet, and it was 
applied to the locality at the confluence of the 
Susquehanna and Lackawanna rivers. From 
this the river took its name, as did also the val- 
ley through which it runs, and ultimately the 
county which includes it. 

The Monsby Indians. 

AA^hen the Lackawanna valley was settled by 
the whites there were two Indian settlements 
or villages within its limits. One of these was 
Asserughney , at the confluence of the Susque- 
hanna and Lackawanna rivers, under Camp- 
bell's Ledge. The other was about ten miles 
up the Lackawanna, near the mouth of the 
Nay Aug (Roaring Brook). It was called 
Capoose Meadows after a chief of that name, 
who came from iNew Jersey about the year 1700 
and who was partly civilized, and noted for 
his peaceful character. Trails ran from this 
village to Wyoming, to Cochecton and to Oqua- 
go, (now Windsor) Broome county, N. Y. The 
Indians inhabiting these villages were Monseys. 
They left the village after the Wyoming Mas- 
sacre. In addition to these, traces were found 
of five other Indian villages that had long pre- 
viously been inhabited and abandoned, all lo- 
cated on the west bank of the river. 

Count Zinzendorf visited the village of Ca- 
poose in 1742, and the date of its first occu- 
pancy by the Monseys mu.st have been at least 



thirty years before. A quarter of a mile up the 
river, on the high bank of the Lackawanna, 
was the Indian burying ground, long since ob- 
literated by the cultivation of the spot by the 
whites. Here in 1795 were discovered a num- 
ber of Indian graves, which were oijened, ac- 
cording to Hollister, "by a party of settlers in 
search of antiquarian spoils." He continues: 
"As one of the mounds seemed to have been pre- 
pared Avitli especial attention, and contained, 
with the bones of the warrior, a great quantity 
of the implements of the deceased, it was sup- 
posed, erroneously, no doubt, to have been the 
grave of the chieftain Capoose. These graves, 
few in numl^er, perhaps pointed to the last of 
the group of Mousey warriors who had ofl'ered 
incence and sacrifice to the great spirit of 'Ca- 
poose.' " Several apple trees were found in Pro- 
vidence by the whites who first visited the val- 
ley. One of these trees was felled in 1801 hav- 
ing one hundred and fifty concentric circles, 
being one hundred and fifty years old. "The 
domestic habits of the Mousey tribe," says Hol- 
lister, "when not engaged in Avarfare were ex- 
tremely simple and lazy. Patches of open land 
or 'Indian clearings' early were found in the 
valley, where onions, cantaloupes, beans, and 
corn, and their favorite weed tobacco, were half 
cultivated by the obedient squaw." The Mon- 
seys accompanied the Delawares to Ohio, and 
subsequently were merged in the latter tribe. 

The FipST Settlement. 

The first settlement in the territory which 
is now included in Lackawanna county, was 
made by John Gardner in 1769 in Ransom 
township near the mouth of Gardner's creek. 
For a detailed account of this settlement see 
Ransom fownship. 

About the same time Topez AVilliams, Silas 
Parks and Prince Aldeu settled in Lackawanna 
tfiwnship. They were dispossessed by the Pen- 
namites in 1770. 



HISTORY OF LACKAWAJ^NA COUNTY 



75 



Pioneer Industries of the County 

The first grist- and saw-mills in the county 
were l^uilt bj' the town (then Pittston but now 
Lackawanna township) in 1774, just below the 
falls on the Lackawanna river. In 1775 they 
were sold to Solomon Strong, and soon after- 
ward were destroyed by a ilood. 

Another grist-mill was built by Philip Ab- 
bott on Roaring Brook in 1788. The construc- 
tion of this establishment was very simple. In 
October of the same year his brother, James, 
joined him in the enterprise, and in the spring 
of 1789 the firm was further strengthened by 
the admission of Reuben Taylor, when the mill 
was enlarged. Later they sold to John and 
Seth Howe, who in July, 1798, sold the same 
with improvements, to Ebenezer Slocum and 
James Duwain. 

It is recorded that James Van Fleet (from 
whom Fleetville was named) made and sold 
nearly all the plows used in the first agriculture 
of the valley. He made plow-shares of gnarled 
knots of trees for a score of years or more. He 
lived to an extreme- old age. 

Large numbers of sheep were raised in the 
early days of Providence township, and the 
inhabitants, depending wholly upon their own 
woolen goods for raiment, early gave attention 
to carding and fulling-mills.* The hardy pion- 
eer women were ever busy in dealing out their 
warp and filling for frocks, coats, trowsers and 
flannel petticoats. These mills were regarded 
as equally important for the prosperity of the 
neighborhood as the grist-mill and the saw-mill. 
A carding and fulling-mill was built a little 
above Providence in 1808 by John Watres, 
which passed into the hands of Carter & Miller 
in 1841. The earlier exports of Providence 
were grain, lumber and whiskey. Of the lat- 
ter a large quantity was manufactured at 
Tripp's still, half a mile below the village. 

During 1826 Colonel Henry W. Drinker, of 
"Drinker's Beech" gave a brisk impulse to the 
village when he, with trifling State aid, crossed 
the valley with the Philadelphia and Great 
Bend turnpike, and opened communication 
with New York city by a tri-weekly stage. Pas- 
sengers could then go from Providence to New 
York by way of Stroudsburg in three days. 
The Lackawanna was first bridged here bv 
Drinker in 1826. 

A Pioneer's Experience 

The locality of the thriving borough of Dun- 
more was often explored by passers between 
Connecticut and "Wyoming in the early days; 



*A fulling-mill, for fulling or thickening cloth 
by means of pestles or stampers, which alternately 
fall into or rise from troughs where the cloth is 
put with fuller's-earth or other cleansing material. 



but no settlers made an opening in the forest 
at this point imtil the advent of William Alls- 
worth, from New York State, in 1783. Doctor 
Hollister gives the following incidents in the 
conflict of this pioneer family with the wild 
beasts which everywhere abounded in the prim- 
itive wilderness: 

"From the Lackawa settlement, on the Paupack, 
some four and twenty miles from the cabin of 
Allsworth, there stood but two habitations in 1783, 
one at Little Meadows, the other at Cobb's, both 
kept as houses of entertainment. The need of more 
places of rest to cheer the emigrants toiling toward 
Wyoming with heavy burdens, drawn by the sober 
team of oxen, induced Mr. Allsworth to fix his abode 
at this spot. While he was building his cabin from 
trees felled for the purpose of gaining space and 
material, his covered wagon furnished a home for 
his family. At night heaps of logs were kept burn- 
ing until long after midnight to intimidate wolves, 
bears, wildcats and panthers inhabiting the chapar- 
ral toward Roaring brook and Capoose. Deer and 
bears were so abundant tor many years within sight 
of his clearing that his family never trusted to his 
rifle in vain for a supply of venison or the substan- 
tial haunches of the bear. In tall and winter 
months wild beasts made incursions with such fre- 
quency that domestic animals at night could be 
safely kept only in palisaded inclosures. These 
were a strong stockade made from a well driven 
sapling, and generally built contiguous to the 
dwelling, into which all kinds of live stock were 
driven for protection after nightfall. Every farm- 
er in the tov/nship of Providence, unwilling to see 
his home invaded and occupied by the common 
enemy at the dead of night took this precaution 
less than a hundred years ago. And even then 
they were not exempt from depredation at Mr. 
Allsworth's. At one time, just at the edge 
of evening, a bear grouped his way into the 
pen where some of his pigs were slumbering, 
seized the sow in his brawny paws and bore the 
noisy porker hurriedly into the woods, where it was 
seen no more. The affrighted pigs were left un- 
harmed in the pen. At another time, during the 
absence from home of Mr. Allsworth, a large pan- 
ther came to his place before sundown dn search 
of food. This animal is as partial to veal as the 
bear is to pork. A calf lay in the unguarded in- 
closure at the time. Upon this the panther sprang, 
when Mrs. Allsworth, alarmed by the bleating of 
the calf, seized a pair of heavy tongs from the fire- 
place, with a heroism distinguishing most of the 
women of that day, drove the yellow intruder away 
without its intended meal. The same night, how- 
ever, the calf was killed by the panther, which in 
return was captured in a trap the same week, and 
slain." 

A Brief History op Each Township. 

Benton. This township was formed from 
Nicholson in 1838, and was named in honor 
of the late Hon. Thomas PI. Benton, a United 
States senator from Missouri. This townshiij 
was first settled in 1810 or 1811 by a Mr. Bas- 
sett, after whom Bassett pond is named. He lo- 
cated at the mouth of Bassett creek near Walls- 
ville. At the head of Finn pond was the old 
caiuping ground of the Indians. It lay on the 
trail from the head waters of the Lehigh to 



76 



HISTORY OF LACKAWA^NNA COUNTY 



Great Beurl, on the Susquehanna. Here have 
been found large quantities of arrow-heads, 
slone hatchets, and other rehos. Tlie pioneer 
nurserymen were Isaac Doiid and Parrnenus 
Brundage, who set out orchards as early as 1820 
in the northeastei'n part of the towaiship. The 
pioneer school-house was built of logs about 
1S20, in the northeast corner of the townshin. 
The population of the township was 1,055 in 
1S70; 1,14S in 1880; 1,052 in 1890: 1,042 
in 1900; 807 in 1910. 

Carbondale was formed in April, 1831 from 
a part of Blakely and Greenfield township*. 
The wild land of this township -was originally 
owned by an Englishman named Russell, liv- 
ing at Sunbury. ,Tt was named Oai-bondale 
bv William and Maurice Wurts, of Philadel- 
phia, who came into possession of it in 1812. 
Including the city of Carbondale it contains 
about twenty-three square miles. The pioneer 
settler was David Ailsworth, who came from 
Rhode Island in 1802. and located on the side 
of the mountain. Mrs. Ailsworth was the 
pioneer weaver. Peter Wedeman located on 
"Ragged Island" in 1807. where he raised a 
large family. His attire was very imposing. 
He wore a bear-skin for a coat, the fore legs 
serving for -sleeves ; a fawn-skin vest, buckskin 
pants,, and a raccoon skin cap with the tail 
hanging behind Mdien worn. Christopher E. 
Wilbur came from Dutchess county, N. Y., in 
1810, to manufacture the old fashioned wooden 
spinning-wheels used at that time. Nearly 
every fireside in the vallej' was soon gladdened 
bv the hum of his wheels. The population was 
721 in 1870: 1.163 in 1880; 1.784 in 1890: 
1,440 in 1900: 1.635 in 1910. 

Clifton. This to\\'Tiship was formed from 
Covington, December 14. 1875. .lacob Gress, 
the first settler, located here in 1840. He open- 
ed the first tavern in a log-house in the most 
]-)rimitive style. He was a. brave hunter, and 
was the proud owner of seventy-three bear 
skins. ITe also killed over seven hunderd deer 
and a large number of panthers and wolves, and 
much small game. The first store was built in 
1863 or 1864 bv ITerbine, Baum & Co.. at Clif- 
ton. The population was 282 in 1880: 172 in 
1890; 200 in 1900; 203 in 1910. 

Covington. The township of Covington was 
formed in 1818 from the townshi]^ of Wilkes- 
Bari-e, and embraced at that time the whole of 
Henry Drinker's possessions in the south part 
of old Luzerne county. It was named Coving- 
ton at the suggestion of H. W. Drinker, Cson 
of Henry Drinker) in honor of Brigadier Gen- 
eral Covington, who fell at the battle of Wil- 
liamsburg, in upper Canada. In 1787, Plenrv 
Drinker purchased about 25,000 acres, includ- 



ing this township, of the Stale. Avhich has since 
been known as "Drinker's Beech," from the 
timber that covered it. In the summer of 1814 
this land was resurveyed by Jackson Torrey of 
Bethany, Wayne, county, into lots averaging 
one hundred acres each. Lots were sold at $5 
per acre on five years credit, the first two years 
without interest: payment to be made in lum- 
ber, shingles, labor, produce, or anything the 
farmer had to spare. The first settlement was 
made in 1815, by II. W. Drinker. The cele- 
brated "Drinker Turnpike" was built through 
this township in 1828, its cour.se being due 
north and south. The charter fo.r this road 
was obtained in 1819. Its terminal points were 
Philadelphia and Great Bend. ,Tii 1827. when 
EdAvard Wardell, Jr., was township collector, 
the duplicate amounted to onlv $96. The terri- 
tory embraced in the township at that time 
covered the present to-rniships of Covington. 
Lehigh, Clifton, Spring Brook, Madison, and 
Buck township of Luzerne counter. The popu- 
lation was 1,182 in 1870: 881 in 1880; 884 in 
1 890 : 794 in 1900 : 641 in 1910. 

Fell. This township was first 'settled in 
1818 by Peter F. Ball who came from the State 
of New York, building a los-house in the north- 
western part of the township. This township 
was formed from Carbondale township, in No- 
vember. 1845, and named in honor of Judge 
•Jesse Fell, who acquired considerable fame in 
the Wyoming valley durinq- its earlv history. 
A coal mine was opened on Elk creek in Decem- 
ber, 1864 bv J. W. and J. P. Williams, and 
the breaker built in 1874, bavins- a capacity of 
one hundred tons per dav. The Elk creek 
mine was opened and the breaker built in 1873 
bv Clarkson & Brennan. The population was 
343 in 1870: 441 in 1880: 1.154 in 1890; 2,- 
404 in 1900: 4.353 in 1910. 

Greenfield. This township covers about 
twenty square niiles. and was formed from 
Abington in January, 1816. Among the pion- 
eer settlers were Elijah Ilobb and James Sac- 
kett, from "\''ermont, the latter locating in the 
western part of the township about 1800. 
Charles Berrv opened the first tavern about 
1820 near Carey's Corners, which was a log- 
house one-and-a-half stories high, with one low 
room below for the guests and a little lower 
room above for the family. The floor between 
as well a= the roof was made of bark. Meals 
were served for 121/2 cents, and lodging was 
only 6 cents. Rum was 3 cents and gin or 
brandy 4 cents a glass. The pioneer school- 
bouse was built in 1820. The population was 
819 in 1870: 821 in 1880; 673 in 1890: 681 in 
1900; 590 in 1910. 

Jefferson, Although Jefferson township 



HISTORY OF LACKAWANNA COUNTY 



77 



was only formed iu 1836, from Providence 
township, its settlement dates back to 1781 or 
1782,, wlien Jolm Somers made a clearing at the 
foot of Cobb's momitaiu. In 1784 he sold to 
Asa Cobb, who became the first permanent set- 
tler. For many years his cabin ^vas the only 
habitation between Dunmore and the Little 
]\leadows, in Wayne county, which offered hos- 
pitality to all passing be'tAveen Connecticut and 
tne Wyoming valley, and became one of the 
most popular sto^jpiug j^iaces on the whole 
route. The population was 776 in 1870; 794 
in 1880; 696 in 1890; 750 in 1900; 633 in 
1910. 

, Lackawanna. This township was formed 
in January, 1839, from portions of Pittston 
and Providence townships. It was settled as 
early as 1769 or 1770 by Topaz Williams, Silas 
Parks and Prince Alden, Connecticut Yankees, 
who were dispossessed by the Pennamites in 
1770. Barnabas Carey built the first log-cabin 
erected by a white man above the falls of the 
Lackawanna. The first saw and grist mills in 
Lackawanna ce)unty Avere built by the town 
(then Pittston) in 1774, just below the falls on 
the Lackawanna river. In 1775 they were pur- 
chased by Solomon Strong and soon afterward 
were destroyed by a flood. The population was 
5,822 in 1880; 8,061 in 1890; 5,623 in 1900; 
2,756 in 1910. floosie and part of Taylor 
boroughs were formed from Lackawanna town- 
ship since 1890. 

Lehigh. When Lackawanna county was 
formed of Luzerne county, August 13, 1878, the 
line ran through Buck township, dividing it in 
nearly equal parts, and that portion lying east 
of the new line in Lackawanna county was 
formed in a new township and named Lehigh, 
from the river. The pioneer settler Avas Isaac 
Lewis, Avho came in 1842 and purchased land 
of Charles Terwilliger along the Lehigh river. 
The first year he cleared thirty acres, planted 
it all to corn, and raised the first crop in Lehigh. 
He was the first man married in the township. 
Gouldsboro is the only village in the township, 
which was made a borough May 12, 1871. The 
pojjulation of the township was 193 in 1880 ; 
146 in 1890; 129 in 1900; 119 in 1910. It is 
settled only along the Lehigh river. 

Madison. This township Avas formed Aug. 
7, 1849 from parts of Covington and Jefferson, 
and was named in honor of James Madison. 
The pioneer settlers,. Thomas Biesecker and 
Richard EdAA'ards, located in the northwest part 
of the toAA'nship, in the fall of 1824, Avhere they 
built log cabins, moving their families into them 
in January, 1825. The population Avas 1,530 
in 1870; 1,041 in 1880; 1.257 in 1890; 1, 242 
m 1900; 640 in 1910. The borough of Mos- 



cow has been organized from a part of Madison 
toAA-nship since 1900, Avith a population of 650. 

Newton. Until 1842 this township was a 
part of Falls toAA'nship. In that year Wy- 
oming comity was formed from Luzerne, the 
easterly line of the ucav comity running 
through Falls township, leavmg the eastern por- 
tion Avithout a name or an organization. _ This 
AA'as organized into a township in 1844, and 
named NeAvton, after a town of that name 
Avliich is the county seat of Sussex county, Nbav 
Jersey, from AA'here many of the early settlers 
came. Richard Gardner was the pioneer set- 
tler, making a clearing and building a log-house 
near the Ransom tOAvnship line in 1803. The 
population Avas 1,057 in 1870; 1,027 in 1880; 
1,059 in 1890; 1,281 in 1900; 1,417 in 1910. 
The inmates of the Hillside Home are included 
in the above. 

NoETH Abington. Iu 1867 this toAvnship 
Avas formed from Abington. In the Connecti- 
cut claim and survey this township was called 
Ebbington, in honor of Col. Ebbmgs, an ex- 
tensive land agent of Connecticut, through 
Avhom titles to these lands AA'ere obtained on very 
reasonable terms; but these titles proved illegal 
and hence valueless, under the Pennsylvania 
laAA's AA'hich finally obtained, and the land hold- 
ers,, being indignant, changed the name to Ab- 
ington. Under the Pennsylvania laAvs this was 
included in a large tract called Tunkhannock. 
■ In 1806 a new toAvnship was formed 'rfrom 
Tunkhannock including this tract, and the 
name Abington Avas restored. This included 
several of the surrounding toAvnships. In 1814 
a part of Abington Avas annexed to Nicholson, 
and in 1816 Greenfield tOAvnshijj AA'as taken 
off. The toAvnship Avas divided in 1867 into 
North and South Abington. The contention 
of the "Yankees" and "Pennaniites" retarded 
the early settlement of Abington, as did the 
large and almost impassible mountains on the 
south. The toAA-nship remained an unbroken 
and miknown AA-ilderuess until about 1796, 
when it was sui'veyed by a party form Rhode 
Island mider the Connecticut claim. In 1799, 
Deacon William Clark and family (including 
his three sons, William. Jtremiah and John), 
Thomas Smith and Ephriaui Leach came from 
Connecticut. Their outfit consisted of one 
poor horse, a drag made of poles fastened at the 
back of the horse for a conveyance. On this 
drag were placed a sap kettle, their axes, and 
a few clothes and i^rovisions. They crossed 
the Leggett niountain, at a gaj? westerly from 
Avhere the road iioaa' passes. They made their 
camp in Abington, March 15, 1799. Daring 
the summer and fall they made clearings in 
several places and opened a patli tlu'ough 



78 



HISTORY OF LACKAWANNA COUNTY 



Leggett's gap. Deacon Clark settled at what is 
now Clark's Green, a name given in his honor. 
The first teacher, preacher and postmaster was 
Elder John Miller. The popnlation of North 
Abington township was 1,072 in 1880 ; 1,090 in 
1890; 362 in 1900; 319 in 1910. Dalton 
borough and A¥est Abington township were 
organized from parts of iNorth Abington town- 
ship since 1890. 

Ransom. This township was formed in 
1849, from parts of Exeter and Newton. It 
was named in honor of Captain Samuel Ran- 
som, who raised a company in 1777 for the de- 
fense of Wyoming valley, and fell in the Wy- 
oming Massacre, July 3, 1778. The pioneer 
settler, John Gardner (also first settler in Lack- 
awanna county), came from Colchester, Conn., 
in 1769, and built a log cabin along the Sus- 
quehanna, near the mouth of Gardner's creek. 
The population was 646 in 1880; 650 in 1890; 
894 in 1900; 849 in 1910. The above figures 
include the inmates of the Ransom Home. 

Roaring Brook township was formed May 
24, 1871, out of parts of the borough of Dun- 
more and the townshii3s of Jefferson and Madi- 
son, and named from the stream passing 
through it. Before and after the construction 
of the Drinker turnpike through the township 
there had been no settlement, unless we count 
Barney Carey, who kept the toll-gate on the 
turnpike about a mile below Dmming. Gilbert 
Dunning located at that village in 1847. He 
raised the first crops in the township. A few 
years later he erected the first framed house in 
the township. The first school-house was built 
in 1855. The population was 769 in 1880; 335 
in 1890; 213 in 1900; 235 in 1910. 

Scott. This township was formed from 
Greenfield in 1846, and named in honor of 
Hon. David Scott, one of the associate judges 
of Luzerne county. This is one of the town- 
ships across which the Indians traveled from 
the Susquehanna to the head waters of the Dela- 
ware. One of their camping grounds was near 
Scott village. Roger Orvis, from Vermont, lo- 
cated in 1802 at Orvis Corners. He made the 
first clearing and huilt the pioneer log cabin. 
The first grist-mill was built of logs by Seth 
Howe, in 1800, at the outlet of Chapman's 
Lake. It had but one run of rock stones. The 
water was conveyed from the outlet through 
troughs of logs to an overshot wheel. The 
township had a population of 1,132 in 1870; 
1,263 in 1880; 1,213 in 1890; 1,255 in 1900; 
1,296 in 1910. 

South Abington. At a special meeting 
held in the southern district of Abington, Oct. 
8, 1867, 100 votes were cast in favor of a divi- 



sion of the township, and 24 against. A ma- 
jority being in favor of division in Ijoth dis- 
tricts, it was carried into effect on the 25th day 
of November, 1867. The population was 923 
in 1880; 1,083 in 1890; 1,612 in 1900; 1,987 
in 1910. (See North Abington toivnship). 

Spring Brook. This township was formed 
from Covington, Nov. 22, 1853. The north 
half was originally owned by Dr. Hoosic- and 
the south half by a Mr. Fisher, except 800 acres 
at Yostville, owned by H. W. Drinker. The 
first settlement was made in 1832 by Abraham 
Turner, near the centre of the township. The 
pioneer school-house was built in 1832. It was 
a framed building, and the first teacher was 
Miss Emeline Griffin. The population was 
426 in 1870; 658 in 1880; 756 in 1890; 458 in 
1900; 439 in 1910. 

West Abington township was formed from 
a part of North Abington January 24, 1895. 
At a special election, held Tuesday, January 22, 
1895, at the regular polling place of North 
Abington township ; 81 voted for and 4 against 
the clivision of the township. Two days later 
the court apjiointed the following persons elec- 
tors of the said township : George H. Colvin, 
judge of elections; W. S. Ross, majority inspec- 
tor of elections; H. E. Capwell, minority in- 
si^ector of elections, and George F. Gethman, 
constable. The population was 219 in 1900, 
and 216 in 1910. 

Townships Which Have Become Extinct 

The following townships have been merged 
into boroughs, and are now extinct: 

Providence township was formed in 1770. 
It was named from Providence, R. I., and was 
the sixth of the townships alloted by the Sus- 
quehanna Company to the Connecticut settlers. 
It originally contained twenty-five square miles. 

After the decree of Trenton, in 1782, Provi- 
dence .became one of the townships of North- 
umberland county which had been organized 
in 1772, and embraced the territory in dispute 
between Connecticut and Pennsylvania. Upon 
the erection of Luzerne county four years later, 
it was included within its boundaries ; but it 
was not organized into a township of said coun- 
ty until 1792, when it was separated from Pitts- 
ton. As a township Providence has become 
extinct. In April, 1819, a portion was set off 
as a part of Blakely; Jan. 4, 1829, the western 
portion Avas reannexed to Pittston township; 
March 14, 1849, Providenc-e borough was erect- 
ed from its territory ; Hyde Park borough, May 
4, 1852; Scranton borough, Feb. 14, 1856; 
Dunmore borough, April 10, 1862. The city 
of Scranton was incorporated April 23, 1866, 
which embraced within its limits all that then 



HISTORY OF LACKAWAiNNA COUNTY 



79 



remained of the ancient township of Providence 
and the boroughs of Providence, Hyde Park 
and Scranton. 

The first whites who settled in Providence, 
as originally bounded, were Timothy Keyes, 
Andrew flickman and Solomon liocksey. They 
erected a cabin in 1771, where Taylorville now 
is, on the bank of the creek which has since 
been named in honor of Mr. Kej^es. Mrs. 
Hickman was one of the first five women in 
Wyoming. The same year Isaac Tripp, one 
of the proprietors of the Susquehanna company, 
built his log cabin near the vacated wigwams of 
the Mousey Indians at "Capoose Meadows," 
and without clearing a foot of land planted and 
raised a crop of corn the first season, on the 



Blakbly township waS first settled by Tim- 
otlry Stevens in 1786, near what is now Dick- 
son City. This township was formed from 
parts of Providence and Greenfield townships in 
1818, and is uoav merged into the boroughs of 
Blakely (1867), Jermvn (1870), Dickson City 
(1875), Olyphant (1877), Archbald (1877) 
and Win ton (1877). 

Old Forge. This township was formed from 
Lackawanna township. May 26, 1871, and con- 
tained nearly nine square miles. Among the 
pioneers none were more prominent in business 
affairs and in the development of the town- 
ship's resources, than Dr. William Hooker 
Smith, who came here in 1789, after having 




CENTRE OF SCRANTON, SHOVS^ING COURT HOUSE, 190S 
Courtesy of Wyoming Historical Society, Wilkes-Barre . 



plantation deserted by the Indians a sliort time 
before. There were more than a score of other 
purchasers of land in the township between 
1772 and 1775. In 1775 -lames Leggett emi- 
grated from New Yorlc and located at the mouth 
of the creek now bearing his name. He was 
the first to make an improvement above Provi- 
dence village. In the Connecticut Susquehan- 
na Company's original plat of the township 
this tract had been allotted to Abraham Stan- 
ton,, in 1772. The next year it was transferred 
by Stanton to .Jolm Staples. On account of 
some dereliction of duty. Staple's claim was de- 
clared forfeited, and in 1774 it was granted to 
Davis Thayer. When he sold it to Leggett, in 
June, 1775, this, with several other tracts of 
land in the vicinity were covered with unbroken 
forest. 



lived in the Wilkes-Barre clearing from 1772. 
He was a competent surgeon and physician, 
and, excepting Dr. Sprague, he was the only 
physician in 1772 between Cocliecton and Sun- 
bury, a distance of 150 miles. He was a plain, 
practical man, with all the old-fashioned faith 
in the virtues of bleeding. In tlie Spring of 
1789 Dr. Smith and -lames Sutton built a forge 
just above the mouth of Ascension ,brook, on 
the rocky edge of the Lackawanna and just be- 
low the rapicls or falls. This was the only con- 
cern of the kind in all old Westmoreland, ex- 
cept one at Newport, built in 1777. From it 
the township derived its name. Its population 
was 1,408 in 1880 ; 4,422 in 1890. Since 1890 
the township has become extinct, being merged 
into Old Forge borough and part of Taylor 
borough- 



80 



HISTORY OF LACKAWANNA COUNTY 



Value of Agricultural Property 

In 1910 there were 1,692 farms in Lacka- 
wanna county, a decrease of 163 since 1900 ; 
but the vahie of the property has increased more 
than a million dollars. 

The area of the county is 288,640 acres, of 
Avhich 134,000, or forty-six and one-half per 
cent., are farm lands. 

The value of the farm property is distributed 
as follows: Land, $4,517,971; buildings, $2,- 
291,295; implements and machinery, $501,- 
073 ; domestic animals, poultry and bees, $994- 
343. 

The following table shows the number of 
domestic animals, including poultry and bees, 
and the value of each: 

Number Value 

Cattle 13,339 $403,437 

Horses 3,675 470,015 

8,371 

1,562 

. . 37,866 

.. 11,279 

104 

. . 58,010 

3,699 



Mules 87. 

Asses 45 . 

Swine 4,218. 

Sheep 2,373. 

Goats 10. 

Poultry 

Bees (colonies) 930 . 



The following crop production for the census 
year was shown : 

Acres Bushels 

Corn 1,250 39,014 

Oats 4,651 101,440 

Wheat 19 315 

Buckwheat 2,152 37,077 

Rye 1,037 14,309 

Potatoes 2,763 263,917 



Population of Lackawanna County by 

Townships and Boroughs Since 1890 

1910 1900 1890 

Archbald borough 7,194 5,396 4,032 

Benton township 807 1,024 1,052 

Blakely borough 5,345 3,915 2,452 

Carbondale city 17,040 13,536 10,883 

Carbondale township... 1,635 1,440 1,784 

Clifton township 203 200 172 

Covington township.... 641 794 884 

Dalton borough (a)... 767 681 

Dickson City borough (b) 9,331 4,948 3,110 

Dunmore borough 17,615 12,583 8,315 

Elmhurst borough(c).. 379 444 443 

Fell township (d) 4,353 2,404 1,154 



307 


290 


93 


141 


681 


673 


750 


696 


2,567 


2,650 


5,623 


8,061 


274 


253 


129 


146 


1,242 


1,257 


2,300 


1,695 


1,227 




' 1,281 


1,059 


362 


1,090 


5,630 




6,180 


4,083 


894 


650 


213 


335 


1,255 


1,213 


102,026 


75,215 


1,612 


1,083 


458 


756 


4,215 




2,204 




765 




489 


292 


219 




3,425 


1,787 


193,831 


142,088 



Glenburn borough 319 

Gouldsboro borough... 84 

Greenfield township. . . . 590 

.Jefferson township 633 

.Termyn borough 3,158 

Lackawanna town'p (e) 2,756 

LaPlume borough 258 

Lehigh township 119 

Madison township (h) . . 640 

Mayfield borough (f ) . . 3,662 

Moosic borough (g) .... 3,964 

Moscow borough (h) . . . 650 

Newton township (i)... 1,417 

North Abington twp. (a) 319 
Old Forge borough (j). 11, 324 

Olyphant borough 8,505 

Ransom township (k) . . 849 
Roaring Brook township 235 

Scott township 1,296 

Scranton city 129,867 

South Abington twp.. . . 1,987 

Spring Brook township. 439 

Taylor borough (j).... 9,060 

Throop borough (b) . . . 5,133 

Vandling borough (d) . . 985 

Waverly borough 515 

West Abington twp (a) 216 

Winton borough 5,280 

259,570 



(a) Dalton borough and West Abington town- 
ship organized from parts of North Abington town- 
ship since 1890. 

(b) Throop borough organized from part of 
Dickson borough since 1890. 

(c) Formerly Dunning. 

(cl) Vandling borough organized from part of 
Fell township since 1890. 

(e) Parts taken to form Moosic borough and 
part of Taylor borough since 1S90. 

(f) Formerly Mayville. 

(g) Moosic borough organized from part of 
Lackawanna township since 1890. 

(h) Moscow borough organized from part of 
Madison township since 1900. 

(i) The inmates of the Hillside Home are in- 
cluded in the population of Newton township. 

(j) Old Forge borough organized from part of 
Old Forge township since 1890. 

(j) Taylor borough organized from part of 
Lackawanna and Old Forge townships since 1890. 

(k) The inmates of the Ransom Home are in- 
cluded in the population of Ransom township. 

Clarks Summit was formed from a part of South 
Abington township and incorporated into a borough 
August 30, 1911. 



CHA.PTER ELEVEIV 



EARLY HISTORY OF NEWTON TOWNSHIP 



The history of Newton township dates bade 
of the time when Newton became the name of 
this township, because mitil April 4, 1842, 
when Wyoming county was formed from a part 
of Luzerne county, this part of the country 
was known as Falls township, Luzerne county. 
The easterly line of the new county ran 
through Falls township, leaving the southeast- 
ern part of the township without an organiza- 
tion or a name. This wan organized into a town- 
ship in 1844_, and aa a large per cent, of the first 
settlers of this section came from Sussex county, 
New Jersey, the comnty seat of which is Newton, 
they named it Newton, in honor to their home 



town. 



fy. 



RiciiAED Gardner, the Pioneer Settijee 

The first white man to' settle in what is now 
known as Newton township was Richard Gard- 
ner, who came to this towusliip in 1803 ; made 
a clearing and built a log house on the farm 
now owned by Peter Corseliiis. This house 
stood near where the road now runs, only a few 
feet south of the gate in front, of the present 
house. Later he owned the farm now'.^.wned 
by George A. B^ck. '•'■,; /• 

Li 1807 he sold out to Jesse Harding and 
returned to what is now Ransom township. 

Then, and for a long time afterwards, elk, 
panthers, bears, wolves and wild cats held full 
sway. The woods were-irlsa full of deer, -and 
the -creeks were lined with many kinds of fish. 
Gardner's Creek was a trout stream, which 
swarmed with the speckled beauties. 

Richard Gardner was born in Colchester, 
Conn., February 8, 1767. He was the oldest, 
child of John Gardner, the first settler in Ran- 
som township. (See Ransom toiunship). Rich- 
ard was only two years old when his parents 
came to Ransom township, and settled at the 
mouth of Gardner's Creek in 1769, and eleven 
years of age at the time his father was captured 
by the Indians, when he and his mother, with 
three smaller children, accompanied by other 
survivors of the horrible Wyoming Massacre, 
returned to their old homes and friends in Con- 
necticut, i 

At the time of the Indian massacre and when; 
his father was captured, Richard was with his! 
mother in Fort Jenkins, across the river from^ 
where Pittston is now located, at the end of thei- 
river bridge. j 

In 1788, when twenty-one years of age, Mr.!- 
Gardner was married to Miss Lydia Chapman,! 



who was born in 1767 and died May 23, 1826, 
aged 61 years. Shortlj^ after his marriage, 
Richard and his brother John, with their 
mother, returned to the farm settled by their 
father in 1769, opposite from where the Lehigh 
Valley Coal Storage Plant is now located. Jolin 
was chiefly engaged in farming. He was the 
father of four children, and died March 30, 
1836, aged 63 years, 2 months and 21 days. 

Richard Gardner established Gardner's Ferry 
at Ransom about 1795. Lie was often subjected 
to much labor, and exposed to gxeat danger on 
the river. 

Richard Gardner was twice married, and 
was blessed with thirteen children, two of whom 
died in childhood, (Richard, Jr. died March 
3, 1797, aged 3 years, 1 month and 22 days, 
being the first person buried in the old bury- 
ing ground on the bank of the river) while the 
remaining eleven lived to mature years, name- 
ly: ■John, Elisha, Anna, Benjamin, Mumford, 
Samuel, Malinda, Lydia, Elizabeth, Harriet, 
and another whose name i|; unknown. Two of 
the number were crippl&^from early youth. 
Benjamin was pei^anentfy paralyzed in the 
lower liinbS at the age of, "eleven, which made 
him un'^ie to walk, nevertheless he became an 
active 'business mail, -. hlling the positions of 
merchant, tavern keeper and postmaster for 
many years, and was known throughout the 
counlryas "Uncle Benny_ Gardner." He died 
October 24, 1879, at the age of 85 years. Ma- 
linda walked upon crutches in consequence of 
having lost the use of one of her limbs by a 
fever-sore. 

Mr. Gardner always enjoyed good health, and 
when nearly ninety years old he would walk 
to Wilkes-Barre and back again the same day, 
a distance of fourteen miles each way or twenty- 
eight miles both ways. A couple of summers 
before he died he laid thirty rods of stone wall. 
Mr. Gardner was a truly religious man, and a 
member of the Baptist church for many years. 

"Soon after Mr. Gardner settled in this sec- 
tion he was accidentally shot by a companion, 
in one of his elbows, which was ever afterwards 
a source of trouble to him, although it did not 
make him a cripple. In a bear hunt, one of 
his companions, not perceiving that Mr. Gard- 
ner was in range between him and a ferocious 
old dam with two cubs, drew up his rifle and 
fired just as his friend was in the same act. 
Unfortunately, the ball struck his elbow. "I've 
.hit her," exclaimed the delighted hunter. 



8^ 



HISTORY OF NEWTOiN TOWNSHIP 



"You've hit me," answered Gardner, while the 
blood was streaming from his arm, and the 
bear escaped unhurt. They were in the woods 
some miles east of the settlement. One of Mr. 
Gardner's companions accompanied him home, 
while the other took a straight cour.se through 
the woods to Lackawanna to procure the services 
of Dr. Hooker -Smith. It was two days after 
the wound was inflicted before Dr. Smith could 
be on hand. When he came the arm was much 
inflamed and swollen, and the probing, cutting 
and picking out splinters of bone was a most 
terrible operation, but it had to be endured. 
The wound was some time in healing, and the 
injury of the joint was such that the conse- 



farm, near the Hillside Home. He erected his 
log-hoiLse about thirty rods south from the pre- 
sent residence, on the west side of the road 
leading from Schultzville to Kern's Comers, 
near the ledge. The farm is now owned by 
Thomas McDonald of Scranton, and occupied 
by Mrs. Catherine McNay and son. 

Subsequent Settlers. 

Among the settlers who came soon after Mr. 
Gardner, we find a Mr. Lutz, Zebulon Corn- 
stock, John McMillan, Charles McClusky, Par- 
ley Von Cleveland, Henry Walters, .Jacob Bic- 
secker, and inanv others followed. 




RICHARD GARDNER AND HIS SON, SAMUEL 

Richard Gardner was the first settler in Newton township. This picture 

was copied from an old Daguerreotype, taken only a few years 

before his death, which is his only likeness in e.xistence. 



quences were permanently troublesome. AVhen 
eighty-eight years of age he received an injury 
to his spine hj a fall in the barn, which mvich 
increased his stooping position." — Peck's His- 
t/irij of Wyoming. 

Mr. Gardner lived to a ripe old age, and 
died on Independence Day, -July 4, 1859, aged 
92 years. 

Barronet Eodney 

The second settlement in the township wa? 
made by Barronet Rodney. He was born in 
New .Jersey, and married Miss Elizabeth Drake, 
June 13, 1801. She was a daughter of Benja- 
min Drake. (See Benjamin Drake, also Eli- 
zabeth Drake). Rodney came to Newton town- 
ship in 1803 (a short time after Gardner), set- 
tling on what is knowil as the Theodore Stone 



Henry Beemer was of German descent and 
was born in what is now called Beemerville, 
Sussex county, New Jersey, January 2, 1781. 
He was married to Mary Spangenburg (b. July 
4, 1783), to whom ten children were ,bom : 
Elias, the oldest ; Mattie, Jane, Alexander, Jesse, 
Adam, Lusetta, Sidney, Lydia and Arazi. The 
last four mentioned were born in Newton town- 
ship. They all lived to the age of maturity, 
and married and raised large families. Lydia 
is the only one now living, who married Allen 
Fitch for her first husband (died in 1858), and 
Benjamin Place for her second husband, and 
is living near Mill City. EHas, the oldest, was 
born in 1806, and married Phoebe Albright, 
a native of New York. Adam built a log house 
on the farm where Amzi Rosenkrans now lives. 

Henry Beemer came to Newton in the sum- 



HISTORY OF NEWTON TOWNSHIP 



83 



mer of 1818, when about thirty-seven years of 
age, and cleared about ten acres, which he 
sowed to wheat, on the farm now owned by 
Mrs. Katharine Vanderburg, one mile north of 
Newton Centre, where he built a double log 
house. The remains of the old fire-place may 
yet be seen on the east side of the road leading 
from Newton Centre to Clark's Summit. He 
returned to Sussex county in the fall, where 
he spent the winter with his family. 

March 1st, 1819, he returned to iNewton, 
bringing his family. The trip was made 
through the woods by marked trees, arriving 
at their new home safely, excepting Adam, the 
baby, who was nearly killed during the trip by 
being kicked by a sharp shod horse, but provi- 
dentially escaped death. 

The country was new, and they endured 
many hardships. They lived in the old log 
house until about 1838, when Mr. Beemer built 
a frame house, across the road from the log 
house. Only the fire-place and stone chimney 
remain to mark the spot where this pioneer 
home stood. 

Mr. Beemer was a blacksmith, wagon maker, 
carpenter and shoemaker; making and repair- 
ing all his farm implements, etc. He had a 
machine for making rope. The nearest mill 
was at Slocum Hollow (now Scranton), where 
the early settlers took their grain to be ground, 
not in an automobile over macadamized roads, 
but horseback through the woods. 

His home was headquarters in Newton and 
surrounding country for the Whig party. Here 
they would have their ox roasts, which usually 
lasted for two or three days. He and his sons 
and sons-in-law belonged to this party. 

The parents of Mr. and Mrs. Beemer were 
born in Germany. Mrs. Beemer was born in 
Sussex county, New Jersey, July 4, 1783. She 
was a very neat housekeei^er, and always was 
noted for being spry and the easy manner in 
which she did her work. Mr. and Mrs. Beemer 
lived on the old farm until death, Mrs. Beemer 
dying August 1, 1862, aged 79 years, 1 month, 
7 days. Mr. Beemer died about a year later, 
September 24, 1862. 

Jesse and Adam Beemer owned the farm 
where Amzi Rosenkrans now lives, and in 1848 
moved to JUinois, making the trip with two 
teams. 

William Brink took up a large tract on 
the mountain. He died in 1858 at an advanced 
age. 

Horace Collum was born December 31, 
1809, and died in Newton, September 2, 1867. 
He was a son of Richard Collum and a grand- 
son of William. His wife, Sarah Schelenger, 
was bom August 21, 1813, and died March 10, 



1897. They raised a large family. Horace 
Collum came from Sussex county, New Jersey, 
in iNovember, 1832 and settled on the farm now 
owned by Dennis Michaels. He has two chil- 
dren living at this writing: Martha, living in 
Honesdale, and married Peter Collum for her 
second husband. George Collum is living near 
Elmira, New York. 

Zebulon Comstock, one of the early settlers 
of Newton, was a bold and experienced hunter, 
and spent a good part of his time in hunting 
and trapping. On his return one evening 
from whtit is now Hyde Park, a hugh panther 
sprang out of the thicket just behind him. He 
quickly turned around, faced the savage beast, 
and thus walked backward about half a mile, 
keeping his eye steadily fixed upon the panther, 
when thi-^ animal finally turned and left him 
the victo. . Early the next morning Comstock 
shouldend his rifle and, accompanied by his 
faithful log, returned to the spot wheri; the 
.panther sprang from the thicket. Here he 
found the remains of a deer the panther had 
killed and carefully covered with leaves. The 
dog followed the track of the panther about 
three miles, and treed him, where he was shot 
by Mr. Comstock. He came from near Forty 
Fort, about 1812. and .settled upon and cleared 
the farm now owned by Mrs. Daniel W. LaRue, 
He has two grandsons living in the township, 
Judson and Giles. (See Judson C. Com,stock.) 

Joseph Coons came from Sussex county, 
New Jersey, in 1816 and located on the fine 
farm now owned by his grancbon, George L. 
Coon, about one mile north of Newton Center. 
Mr. Coons, like other pioneers, endured many 
hardships. He carried a grist of rye on his 
back to Slocum Hollow (Scranton). On his 
return he dared not take the flour from his 
shoulders, for fear he would not have strength 
to shoulder it again, and he rested by leaning 
against a tree whenever his strength began to 
fail him. 

Lewis Cosner (formerly spelled Casner) 
came from Sussex county. New Jersey, in 1816, 
and took out a patent on 248 acres of land, 
being the farm now owned by his grandson, 
Seldon S. Cosner. He was born January 4, 
1791, and died in Newton township, November 
18, 1818, when about twenty-eight years of age. 
He was a carpenter by trade. He married 
Rachel Knapp, who was born July 20, 1794, 
and died March 24, 1867, aged 72 years. After 
Mr. Cosner's death she married Abram Wil- 
liams, who died December 4, 1854, aged 55 
years, 9 months and 24 days. Lewis Cosner 
was the father of three sons, John, born April 
28, 1816 and died August 4, 1822; Lewis, born 



84 



lilSTORY OF NEWTO,N TOWNSHIP 



March 14, 1818 and died July 31st the same died in 1844. He came to Newton in 1850 
year. David, born September 11, 1813 and with his sou's family, where he died March 9, 
died May 4, 1899. 1883, aged 108 years. 



Timothy Drake came from Sussex county, 
New Jersey, about 1832 and settled on the 'farm 
now owned by Christopher Richards. |i.ere 
he built three log-houses and the house where 
Mr. Richards is living. The first log-house was 
Iniilt about thirty rods ea.st from , the .present 
house, near the creek. Here the first, road was 
built. A few years later the road was, changed 
to its present location, and as the fi,rsj. log cabin, 
which was small, containing only one rooi:f|, be- 
low and an attic above, would not accommofiate 
the increasing family, a larger .building,, was 
erected on the new road, about fifty yards south 
frpm the present residence. Later, the, tl!i|ird 
log-house was built on, the east side of'the r,oad 
abov^t opposite the preseii,t site of Mr. Richard's 
tenant house, now occupied by John Snover. 
,'t'his was built for fhe'' hired help. He built 
, the present framed house about 1846. In April, 
'1865^, Mr. Drake^ and his family moved to Gil- 
man, 111. (81 uiiJes from Chicago), where he 
died in, 1876. He was born in May, 1804. He 
married Miss Anna, daughter of Tliomas and 
Christian (Bedell) Hougli, Ijv whom he had 
nine children: Ruth (Mrs. Larnce A^anBus- 
kirk, Shay, Francis, Stephen, Mary (Mrs. Clin- 
ton Brink), Esther .(Mrs. Fred Beemer) ,.,rSu- 
san (died, aged 3 years), Phebe (died, figed 14 
years) and Jolin. Only Ruth and John are 
living. Ruth is. living in King•ston,,,^yit]:| her 
daughter, Mrt^., Etta Switzer. John neyer„mar- 
ried", He is now living in West Nanti(?pke„.... 

.Jacob .Jacoby was born October 14, XBlo, 
in New Jersey and died in Newton January../;^, 
1892. lie was married, April 29, 1844 to Miss 
Celinda Walter (b. March 19, 1824— d., Felsru- 
ary 10, 1902), daughter of Henry and Cath- 
erine AValter. Mr. and Mrs. Jacoby, had, seven 
children: Catherine, bofu February 19, 1845, 
and married Noah Smith: Reuben, born Sep- 
tember 6, 1848 and died November 11, 1862; 
Ellen, born September 29, 1850 and died Au- 
gust 18, 1852; Mahala,. born May 3, 1855 and 
died November 24, 1872; Arthur,. born, May 19, 
1857; Benjamin, born May 31, 1863 and Har- 
lan, born December 26, 1866. These last three 
are living in Newton. Jacob came to Newton 
about 1836 and settled on a lot containing about 
five acres that he ]:iurchased of Henry Walter, 
and built a frame house. He was a .stone ma- 
son by trade. 

Anthony Lacoe Avas liorn in France, March 
11th, 11780. He came to Philadelphia in 
1792, and to Wilkes-Barrc in 1810, and was 
married in 1812 to Miss Amelia DuPuy, who 



Jacob C. Lesh came from Shawnee township, 
jNionroe county, about 1835 and located near 
where Henry Sunmierhill is now living, Avliere 
he conducted a wag<.>n shop for about fifteen 
years.. This Avas the first wagon shop in the 
township. In 1850 he moved to Newton Cen- 
tre where he conducted a shoja until about 
1855, when he located in Milwaukie. He was 
born in 1812 and died Nov. 18, 1892 in Scran- 
ton where he had lived since 1864. His pa- 
rents came from Germany. About 1831 he 
married Miss Christina Berry. Her parents 
came from Scotland. Mr. and Mrs. Lesh were 
the parents of thirteen children, only three of 
whom are living, namely: Mrs. Jesse Hunt and 
J. B. Lesh of Falls townshij), and Mrs. Cather- 
ine Bullard of Ncav York citj'. 

Henry Litts moved from Montague, Sussex 
county, N. J., in February, 1821, to Newton, 
settling on the farm now owned by Charles Bie- 
secker. ' 'He' came to Newton the previous i?um- 
met'; purchased a tract of land, built a log- 
house, containing only one room, about two 
rods north of the present residence of Charles 
Biesecker,' cut a road to' it through the wilder- 
ness from the Adam Thompson place (now 
George Biesecker), and returned to New .Jersey 
for hii3 family, iri the fall. He hired William 
Havetis;' a brother of Zephaniah Havens, to 
bring his wife and children with a horse team 
and sleigh. Mr? Litts folloAved with an ox team 
and sled, loaded with their laide furniture and 
farm implements, and drove two cows and five 
sheep. He had only ten cents in money when 
he arrived in Newton. His family consisted of 
ftve sons and two daughters. In 1842 he built 
a framed house, now owned by Charles Bie- 
secker, which was moved just above where 
Adam Thompson lives when the new house 
was built by Mr. Biesecker. Mr. Litts was ap- 
pointed postmaster in 1844, and kept the post- 
office for several years at his home. He mar- 
ried Miss Catherine Hoyt, a relative of ex-gov- 
ernor Henry M. Hoyt. Mrs. Litts was one 
of the first members of the Newton Baptist 
church. She Avas loved for her acts of kindness, 
and Christian benevolence. Mrs. Jane Thomp- 
son, mother of Adam Thomp.son, who is living 
in Newton Centre, was a daughter of Mr. and 
Mrs. Litts. Mr. Litts died May 23, 1864, aged 
77 years, 2 months and 18 days. His wife 
died .July 10, 1861, aged 69 years, 1 month 
and 4 days. 

Mr. Lutz located on the Henry .Jacobs farm, 
which is now owned by William E. LaRue. 



PIISTORY OF NEWTON TOWNSHIP 



85 



Charles McClxtsky and his family came 
from New Jersey in 1818, and purchased the 
farm now ownecl by Peter Corsehus, which was 
the farm settled by Richard Gardner, the first 
settler in the town?hiiT. He lived in the log- 
cabin built by Gardner several years before. 
His nearest neighbor was Elias kSmith. Pie 
brought from New Jersey an apple, and from 
its seed, he propagated the "McClusky apple." 

Timothy McClusky in his 3'outhful days 
would go down on the river flats and work for 
farmers, taking his pay in grain, and at niaht 
carry the grain on liis back to the mill at Pitts- 
ton, wait for it to be sromid, and take the flour 
home the same night. One night, while re- 
turning over the mountain, he was overtaken 
by a storm: and, it being to dark to find his 
way, he had to spend the night in the forest, 
frightening off the wolves. He carried bnttei- 
from Newton to Wilkes-Barre and traded it off 
at six cents per pound for groceries. 

Elias Smith came from Sussex county, New 
Jer.sey. in 1816, and purchased 400 acres for 
$1043.00 from Samuel Baird, of Stowe, Mont- 
gomery county, the patentee. He built a log 
house on the part now owned by his grandson, 
Curtis P. Smith, and built a wagon road from 
it to Ransom, which was the first road in this 
section, there being no foot path, not even a 
marked tree to guide him to this place. About 
1822 he built the first framed house in Newton 
town.ship. Pie also built the first saw-mill in 
Newton in 1816. Mr. Smith was born Decem- 
ber 28, 1788, and was a son of George Smith 
who came from Germany. Pie was twice mar- 
ried, first to Miss Harriet. Ayers, to whom four 
children were born, namely: Harriet, born 
August 7, 1811 and married John Thompson: 
Jacob, born March 29, 1813, and died in Iowa: 
David M., born March 5, 1815; Peter A., born 
February 5. 1817, and married Miss Sarah 
Compton. Elias Smith was married the sec- 
ond time to Catherine Adams, March 27, 1818, 
who was born February 5, 1789. To this union 
three children were born, namely: Sally, born 
December 17, 1820: Margaret, born April 22, 
1821 and married Samuel Gardner; Elias A., 
born March 27, 1827, and married Ann Mc- 
Geever for his first wife, who died November 
28, 1895. He was again married October 1, 
1898, to Amy Barton.^ 

Elias Smith was a soldier in the War of 
1812. He died August 8, 1867. 

Adam Thompson came from Sus.sex county,. 
New Jersey, in 1819, and located on the farm 
now owned by George Biesecker, which con- 
tained 109 acres and cost $405.87. Mr. Thomp- 
son purchased the farm from Thomas Ashley, 



who "patented" a large tract of land in this 
section. Mr. Thompson was a fine penman, 
writing a vertical hand (the writer saw an In- 
ventory that he wrote November 9, 1833). He 
was born July 8, 1786. He was the father of 
five children: John, born April 24, 1808; Jane, 
born June 16, 1810; Andrew, born Februarv 
11, 1813; Helen, born July' 27, 1815, and 
Adam, born February 22, 1822. 

'Parley '\''on Cleveland settled on the farm 
now owned by Anthon^r McAndrews of Scran- 
toii, near the home of W. E. LaRue. Morgan 
J. -Jones, a brother-in-law of ^''011 Cleveland, lo- 
cated on the farm now owned by J. F. Lacoe. 
Parley- "\'on Cleveland was the first tencher in 
the t6wnship. 

Nathaniel and Peter Richards 
Written by P. K. Richards, West Pittston, Pa. 

Nathaniel and Peter Richards were branches 
of a family tree planted in Sussex county. New 
Jersey, in the latter part of the Seventeenth 
CenturJ^ Thej^ immigrated to eastern Penn- 
sylvania, which was at that time called ".going 
west," malving the trip in large covered wagons. 
Nathaniel came in the Spring of 1829, and 
Peter in the Spring of 1832. 

A brief history of their lives in the commu- 
nity in which they lived would make interest- 
ing reading. They were certainly strong 
branches from a sturdy stock. ' Both were 
staunch temperance men, called at that; tiu;i,c 
"teetotalers." One incident will illustratu' 
what a man can do who possesses both grace and 
grit. 

"When Nathaniel told my father that he did 
not think he could raise his log house -^vithout 
furnishing four or five gallons of rye whiskey, 
his reply to him was: "I cannot furnish the 
dangerous stuff to others when I will not touch 
it myself." But instead, he furnished them a 
royal supper, including- chicken pot pie, made 
in a large iron kettle, and all prepared by my 
mother and aunt and served on a rude taljle 
constrticted in the woods, everyone going home 
sober, and not a man ever mentioned the word 
whiskey in my father's jiresence. "And he had 
the distinction of being the first man in all tluit 
section of the country to raise a buiding without 
whiskey, and thereby avoiding accidents, sev- 
eral drunks, and a few fights. 

Both men were active, earnest Christians, ever 
ready and willing to help a weaker brother, 
either financially or spiritually, hence they were 
a power for good which did much to mold the 
character of the community in which they 
lived. Ma.j we ever strive to emulate their ex- 
ample, making ourselves worthy to wear their 
mantle. ' .~ 



86 



HISTORY OF NEWTO,N TOWNSHIP 



This part of Pennsylvania was then largely 
a. forest, only a few scattering settlers, so that 
my father said it was necessary to send out at 
least five miles in different directions in order 
to get men enough together to raise his log 
house. 

There were a few more settlers along the Sus- 
quehanna at Buttermilk Falls, Gardner's (now 
Ransom), and also at Brushy Ridge (now New- 
ton Centre or Bald Mount), and Flickersville 
(now Mihvaukie). 

Nathaniel Richard's home was located at the 
western base of Bald Mountain, being the farms 
now owned by B. F. Reed and C. V. Decker, 
and his brother Peter's home was made about 
two miles farther west on the farm now owned 
by his son, Daniel "W. Richards. Both men 
then located in Falls township, Luzerne county, 
Pennsylvania, which then included Falls, New- 
ton, Ransom and a part of Exeter. 

My father built a log house for a home, such 
as his brother and neighbors were then occupy- 
ing. Your narrator was born September 13, 
1882, in his father's log house, which had been 
l)artially built the previous April and not com- 
pleted until late in November, when chimney, 
windows, door, clinking, etc., were added. 

The only means of making fire at that date 
was by flint and steel, the spark igniting a piece 
of punk or decayed wood which was held near. 
A few years later, I well remember, being sent 
to our nearest neighbor, nearly a mile away, to 
borrow fire, carrying it home on a small shovel. 
The first advance in this direction was a prepa- 
ration in liquid form kept in a small bottle and 
hung up on the side of the chimney. It pleased 
me greatly to see father stick a pine sliver in 
this bottle and bring it out on fire. Later the 
matches came, together with many other ad- 
vancements, which were not only a great curi- 
osity, but hailed with delight. 

Nathaniel Richards was born Nov. 4, 1802 
in Sussex county. New Jersey, and died Sept. 9, 
1852 in Newton on the old homestead, now 
owned by B. F. Reed and Chas. V. Decker. 
His first wife was Miss Catherine Roloson. She 
was born Aug. 12, 1800 and died Sept. 11, 1832. 
She had one daughter, Harriet, born April 16, 
1823 and died about 1900. {See Brittian 
Rosenkrans.) She married Brittian Rosen- 
krans. Mr. Richards second wife was Miss 
Sarah Ostrander, born June 20, 1801 and 
died March 27, 1836. She had one son, Os- 
trander, born March 20, 1836. He is living 
in Ransom. After the decease of his second 
wife, Nathaniel was married Nov. 12, 1836 to 
Miss Sarah Michaels, daughter of Frederick Mi- 
chaels. She was born Feb. 1, 1814 and died 
April 19, 1891. She had two sons: George, bom 
Nov. 20, 1838. He died about 1910; Allen, 



born Nov. 21, 1849 and died about 1902. 

Peter Richards was born March 1, 1805 in 
Sussex county, New Jersey, and died Oct. 1, 
1850 on the old homestead owned until 1911 
by his son, D. W. Richards, but now owned by 
Christopher Richards. He was married Dec. 
21, 1825 to Miss Fanny, daughter of Jacob and 
Susan (Wyker) Beemer. Fanny was born 
May 29, 1802 and died Nov. 8, 1837. She had 
five children: (1) David, born March 31, 1826 
and died May 11, 1831 (2) Jacob B., born Dec. 

15, 1829 and died Feb. 27, 1897. (3) Peter 
K., born Sept. 13, 1832 and living in West 
Pittst-on. (4) Susannah, born Aug. 18, 1834 
and died Oct. 4, 1888. (5) Isaac, born March 

16, 1836 and died Oct. 17, 1840. 

Peter Richards' second wife was Miss Mary, 
daughter of Frederick Michaels, whom he mar- 
ried Feb. 13, 1838. To this union five sons 
were born: (1) Daniel W., born Feb. 22, 1839 
and is living in Newton. (2) John, born Nov. 
9, 1840 and" died July 10, 1864. (3) Oren B., 
born April 20, 1843 and died April 24, 1908. 
(4) Cornelius, born Nov. 20, 1845 and died 
Dec. 27, 1905. (5) Jesse P., born May 21, 
1848 and is living in Pittston. 

THE EARLY SETTLERS OF NEWTON. 
Written by D. W. Richards. 

In writing the history of Newton township 
it is necessary to go back of the time when 
Newton became the name of this township, and 
speak of the pioneer settlers who first came to 
this part of the country, known then as Falls 
township, Luzerne county, and in doing so we 
find that a large per cent, of the early settlers 
came from Sussex county. New Jersey. Dur- 
ing the years intervening between 1815 and 
1835 the following persons and their families 
left their homes in old "Sussex" to try their 
fortunes in this part of the old Keystone State: 
Samuel Clark, Isaac Rozelle, Benjamin Rozelle, 
Phineas Carman, James Comstock, Peter Ayers, 
Peter Corselius, Peter Richards, Elias Smith, 
Adam Thompson, Levi Rosenkrans, Rev. Hig- 
gins, Henry Beemer, Henry Lifts, Nathaniel 
Richards, H. S. Decker, Horace Collum, Si- 
meon Cole, Henry R. Collum, Johnson Roloson, 
Jonas Fuller, William Brink, Abram Williams, 
Lewis Cosner, Zephaniah Havens, James Van 
Sickle and Joseph Coon. 

Samuel Clark and Isaac Rozelle, after endur- 
ing the hardships and privations that are inci- 
dent to the settling of a new country, became 
discouraged after a stay of two or three years, 
returned to their old homes. Benjamin Ro- 
zelle thought the outlook for him here was 
rather blue, and he moved to Columbia county, 
where he purchased a home and continued, to 



HISTORY OF NEWTON TOWNSHIP 



87 



live until death claimed him. All of the other 
families remained for many years, and some 
are still represented by children and grand- 
children. Peter Ayers has one son. Lewis B., 
.still living in the township, hale and hearty at 
the age of eighty-three years. Peter Corselius 
has four sons and one daughter, Mrs. P. K. 
Richards, living. Peter Richards has three 
sons living; one of them, D. W. Richards, owns 
and lives on the old homestead. Adam Thomjj- 
.son's children have all passed away; two grand- 
sons are living in the township, Adam and 
William E. Henry Beemer's children are 
dead, but two grandsons, George and Samuel, 
are living in the town. George is filling a 
very important position as superintendent of 
the Hillside Home, a large and well appointed 
institution for the care of the poor and the 
insane for the city of Scranton. The buildings 
are fine and up-to-date structures, erected at a 
cost of about half a million dollars. Samuel 
Bcemer is store keeper at the same institution. 
Of Plenry R. Collum's family two are still liv- 
ing in this town, Phebe A., wife of I^ewis B. 
Ayers and A. S. Collum, the postma.ster at Bald 
Mount. Solomon Van Sickle, son of James 
Van Sickle, is living in Newton Center, where 
his father lived. 

All of the old pioneers have long since died, 
except Mrs. Elizabeth Roloson, who at the age 
of ninety-seven, retains her physical and men- 
tal faculties to a wonderful degree. 

Other pioneers from other places were Amos 
Learn, David Shook, George Myers and John 
Shelly from Monroe county, Pa. It is hard 
for those who are living here now to realize that 
when these people came and settled here, that 
where there are now fertile fields and beautiful 
residences, it was then one vast Malderness filled 
with wild and savage animals. Not a rod of 
land was cleared, and when they succeeded in 
felling trees to make a log house it was a com- 
mon thing for the wolves to surround the house 
at night, and make the night hideous with 
their howling; but undaunted, the pioneers 
cleared up the land, burning the timber to get 
it out of the way. Thus they toiled and labor- 
ed to make the farms that are so much admired 
in this town. 

The First Sunday School. 

As soon as their families were fairly settled 
in their little log huts the pioneers began to 
think of the future of their children. About 
the year 1830, a Sunday School was organized 
by Rev. Higgins, the farmer preacher, in a log 
house that stood near where Amzi Rosenkrans 
now lives. 

The Baptist were first to organize a church 



in this township, in the Spring of 1828, with 
only four members, holding meetings in school- 
houses and at the homes of the members. In 
1871 they built a church edifice. The Presby- 
terian church was organized in 1835, and 
erected a building for worship in 1848. 

The Methodist church was constituted in 
1846 and one year later erected a church. The 
old red school-house at Newton Centre had been 
used for the regular place for preaching and 
prayer meetings for nearly twenty years. 

There were regular services in all three of 
the chiu-ches, and all were well attended : peo- 
ple from the neighboring hills and valleys 
gathered to hear the Gospel preached. Strange 
to SHV, there is regular services in but one of 
the churches now (the Methodist), and the 
congregation there is often very meagre. 

School-houses were erected of rough hewn 
logs, and the boys and girls were sent through 
the woods to school where the "masters" taught 
their j^oung ideas how to shoot and the lessons 
found in the few books of those days. 

There were no mail facilities, not a post- 
office for miles, and not a road anywhere only 
as the people "blazed" their way through the 
thinest portions of the forest. To Henry Lifts 
belongs the honor of having a post-office estab- 
lished in Newton. While the people worked 
hard and endured many privations, they were 
in the main contented and happy. 

As the years rolled by and the country be- 
came more densely populated, and with the 
increase of business, Luzerne county was found 
to be too large, and a portion was taken from 
the northwestern corner, April 4th, 1842, which 
made a new countj'^, called Wyoming, and in 
fixing the line of its eastern boundary it passed 
through the township of Falls leaving the east- 
ern part of that township in Luzerne county, 
and without a name or an organization. As a 
large per cent, of the settlers of this section 
came from Sussex county, New Jersey, the 
county seat of which is Newton, and having a 
great love for their home town, they had it 
christened .Newton, in honor to their old town. 

The growth of the township, like all agri- 
cultural towns, has been slow but steady. Its 
seven schools, its fine farms and good houses 
and barns, two telephone systems, rural free 
delivery and good roads are all hand boards 
along the road of progress and improvement. 
But for a number of years past, like many 
another rural section, the younger generation 
has drifted to the towns and cities, and people 
from other places are rapidly filling their places 
until comparatively few of the decendants of 
the original pioneers are to be found here to- 
day. _ 



88 



HISTORY OF NE^\'TO,N TOWNSHIP 



The Pioneer ScHoor,-HousE. 

Ahout 1814 a' lo^' schoiil-housc was built. l)u( 
the coiii]nler has been unable to learn the loca- 
tion. The first teacher was Parley ^^on Cleve- 
land, who was succeeded by .John Mott and 
Anthony Brigg^. Some years later a larger and 
more convenient school-house was built of hewn 
logs, near where Thomas A'^eety's residence now 
stands. Anthonv Briggs and others taught in 
it. 

Newton Hall Academy, on Presbyterian hill, 
was built in 1847, and the first terni was taught 
bv Rev. j\Ir. Osmond. None but the higher 
branches were taught. The academy building 
was later occupied by the Good Templars. The 
building is standing at this writing. 

The Pioneer Store 

The pioneer store and ashery of Newton town- 
ship was kept by Elias Smith. He bought ashes 
of the settlers and made from them pota.=h, 
which he traded in Wilkes-Barre for such dry 
goods and groceries as the jiioneers needed, and 
took more ashes from his neighbors in i)ay for 
the goods. He aso built and operated the first 
cider mill. 

The first regular store was kept by Solomon 
Strong, where the Van Sickle hotel was later 
located, and where Solomon A^an Sickle now 
lives. Dr. Charles Kelly succeeded Strong, but 
in a short time returned to Tunkhannock. ,In 
1842 E. A. and George Corey and Thomas 
vVtherton purchased a barn of Chauncey Sher- 
wood and converted it into a store, which they 
kept about twelve years. This building is now 
u.^ed by Mr. Cooper for a barn. They were 
succeeded by L. H. Lifts, who subsequently 
built a store on the site where William Hice's 
residence now stands. This was burned in 
1861, and Mr. Lifts moved his goods in the 
building purchased from Chauncey Sherwood, 
which he occupied until his appointment as 
warden of Pittston poor-hou.se about 1866, when 
he sold his goods to Chauncey Sherwood, who 
continued in the business several years. Henry 
Sham kept a clothing store at iNewton Centre 
three different times. The old Sherwood store 
was liiti-r occupied by L. B. Ayers as a dwelling. 

In ^ 18fil or 1882 Ira Lifts built the store 
building on Presbyterian Hill, opposite where 
M'illiam Hice now lives, and a few years later 
sold to John Hice, who kept a store there until 
a short time before his death in 1907. The 
building remains standing, but is unoccupied. 

The Pioneer Sa^v-Mill 

Elias Smith built the first saw-mill in Newton 
township. In 1816 he brought two men from 
New Jersey and built a mill on Gardner's Creek 



about forty rods above the ."he of the present 
mill. This mill would not work until remodeled 
;ibout 1821. This mill was run for several 
\'ears. A.bout 1852 it was moved to the present 
site. The old gate mill Avas taken out in 1866 
and replaced bv a new Aluley mill patented bv 
Cliuton Gibbs of Fleetville, Pa. In 1883 it wa's 
replaced by a circular mill, manufactured by 
the Susquehanna County Agricultural Works of 
Montrose, Pa., which is doing first-class work 
at this writing, and is now owned and operated 
by Curtis Smith, grandson of Elias Smith. Part 
of the old dam of the first mill is standing firm 
and sound. Air. Smith has several old irons of 
the first mill. 

In 1868 Solomon Hopkins & Son built the 
first steam saw-mill, one and a half miles north 
of Newton Centre, on the road to Schultzville. 

The Hartley saM'-mill, near Schultzville, was 
built Ijy Esquire Hartley about 1850. McKins- 
tiy & Childs converted it into a steam mill, and 
later it burned down. 

John Shook erected a steam saw-mill on his 
farm in 1893. It is equipped with a circular 
saw, planer and matcher, run by a 25 h. p. eng- 
ine and a 30 h. p. boiler. 

In 1892 Mr. Shook installed a feed mill, also 
a hydraulic cider mill, with a capacity of 125 
barrels per day. 

About 1890, Levi Coon erected the steam cir- 
cular saw-mill on the farm now owned by his 
son, Everett G. Coon. It is run by a 20 h. p. 
engine. 

In 1841 L. H. Lifts and Chauncey Sherwood 
built a saw-mill on the farm now owned by 
Joseph Lacoe. About 1881 the machinery was 
.sold to Levi Coon for $100.00, which he moved 
to a building that he erected on his farm. 

Blacksmith Shops. 

Edward Rozelle carried on blacksmithing for 
several years from 1821, on the farm wher?, 
Charles E. Lacoe now lives. 

Christopher A/^an Buskirk commenced black- 
srnithing in January, 1854, at Newton Centre, 
where he ran a shop mi til about 1906, excepting 
about seven years when he rented his shop. His 
shop is now iim by Charles H. Mitteer. 

Levi Rosenkrans built a blacksmith shop m 
1833 on the farm now owned by Amiz Rosen- 
krans, which he ran for several years. 

Eder Garrison built a blacksmith shoj^ about 
1836 on the farm now owned by George Reed 
near Sumnnt Lake, where he carried on black- 
smithing for about thirty years. In 1866 he 
moved his shop to the farm now owued by his 
son, Lewis. 



I-IISTORY OF NEWTOJSF TOWNSHIP 



89 



Isaac Whale n started a blacksmith shop at 
Newton Centre about 1848, which he ran for 
about six years. Eli Benedict had a shop pre- 
vious to Mr. Whalen. 

The first wagon shop in the township was 
established about 1835 by -Jacob C. Lesh, near 
the present home of Henry Summerhill. 

State Militia 

.Vbout 1845 the men and boys of Newton and 
siu'roundins country met at Newton Centre, and 
drilled in the field south of the orchard on llu; 
old Thompson farm (settled in 1819 by Adam 
Thom])son), now owned by George Biesecker. 
Drill daj's were known as vacation days, when 
the entire connnunity turned out, coming in 
wagon loads, many drawn by oxteams, bringing 
(heir dinners with them, having a good supply 
of gingerbread. Schools were closed for a half- 
day that the scholars and teachers might attend 
these gatherings. These days were the only 
recreation the children, men and women had at 
that time. 

A colored man, commonly called "Black 
Sam," came with a baker's wagon from Wilkes- 
Barre with a supply of gingerbread (sweet cake 
highly seasoned with ginger) and other eatables 
for the drillers and other persons attending. 

Stewart Pearce, in his Annals of Luzerne 



County, says: "Sam Wright emigrated from 
New Jersey to Wilkes-Barre in 1822. Sam was 
a negro 4 feet 6 inches in height, and measured 
9 feet in circumference. He was proficient in 
the art of cookery, and on his arrival opened an 
oyster saloon for the accommodation of the lov- 
ers of the bivalve. Oysters had been kept and 
sold for many years before in the cellar of the 
old court-house, at Arndt's Tavern, and at one 
or two other places, but there had never been 
an eating-house established in the place and 
conducted by a competent artist like Sam. 
Here good bread was baked and .«old, and gin- 
ger cakes besides, together with mince pies and 
tarts of a most delicious flavor and taste." 

There also were companies organized at Ab- 
ington Centre (now Waverly), and Clark's 
Green. Their rifles were supplied by the State, 
and when the Civil War broke out they were 
all gathered up. They were the old-fashioned 
flint lock type. There were not enough to go 
around, several of the drillers using a stick in- 
stead of a rifle. 

Olney Bailey, father of Andrew Bailey of 
Dimock, was the Colonel appoined to drill the 
companies. 

About 1859 another company was organized 
in Milwaukie known as the "Ransom Invinci- 
bles." This company was also drilled by Col- 
onel Bailey. 



CHAPTER TTVELVE 



VILLAGES, CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS OF NEWTON 



Neavton Centre 

or Bald Mount post-office, a small village located 
in the northwestern part of Newton townshij:), 
nearly two miles northwest of Bald Mountain. 
It was known for many years by the name of 
Brushy Ridge, and later it was called Newton 
Centre, until the establishment of the post-office 
in 1835, when it was named Bald Mountain and 
a few years later shortened to Bald Mount. 

iNewton Centre contains about 100 inhabit- 
ants, but by counting every person living within 
the school district the number is increa'^'ed tn 
about 192. This village contains a post-office, 
and A. S. CoUum has been the accomodating 
postmaster since April 1, 1905; a small grocery, 
keijt by Solomon Van Sickle ; a blacksmith 
shop, with Charles H. Mitteer, a first-class black- 
smith, at the anvil ; a school-house, three 
churches — Methodist, Presbyterian and Baptist, 
but services are held only in the Methodist, and 
Rev. Wallace C. Wolcott has been the pastor 



since April 1912. Dr. WiUiam H. Newman, 
the popular physician, came to this place De- 
cember 31, 1896. 

Newton Centre is the largest village in the 
township. The polls are located at the house 
of Solomon Van Sickle, where the voters of the 
township meet on election day to cast their votes 
for their favorite candidates. 

Neavton School 

Elias Smith and Joseph Coon were the first 
settlers in this district. They came from New 
Jersey in 1816; Henry Beemer in 1818; Adam 
Thompson in 1819; Henry Lifts in 1821, and 
several others a little later. 

Mr. Milot, one of the land agents, gave the 
land for the first school-house at Newton Centre, 
with the understanding that it should be used 
for both school and church purposes. This 
school-house was erected in 1830, and was the 
first frame school-house in the township, and 



90 



HISTORY OF NEWTOiN TOWNSHIP 



was built in front of where the Baptist church 
now stands. It was then called the Brushy 
Ridge school-house, and also the red school- 
house. 

The new school-house was built in 1867, and 
Seely Rosenkrans of Flat Brook, N. J., was the 
first teacher. This is the largest school in the 
township. Frank A. Whitlock is the present 
teacher. 



ker in the evening. 

$1,100.00 was raised on this day to coiiiplele 
paying for the church. It was the first church 
with a bell in Newton township. It was re- 
paired in 1892 and again in 1904 when the 
steeple Avas made lower and an addition erected 
for a kitchen. 

The parsonage was purcha.sed of Lewis Litts. 
lit was repaired and enlarged in 1882 and again 
in 1896. 




BALI) MOUNT METHODIST CHUiiClI 



Bald Mount Methodist Church 

The M. E. Church at Newton Centre was 
organized in November, 1846. The first trus- 
tees were Jacob Smith, Nathaniel Richards, 
Tniiothy Drake, Peter Bedell, Jesse Beemer', 
Alexander Beemer, George Albright, Noah Pa- 
trick and John Meiss. In 1847,' Peter Bedell, 
Jacob Smith, James VanSickle, Nathaniel 
Richards and Peter Rutan were appointed the 
building committee who had a church erected 
at a cost of $600.00, which was dedicated the 
same year. After holding occasional revivals, 
with a steady increase of membership for 
twenty-eight years, the old house of worship 
was abandoned on the 8th of December, 1875. 
This building is standing beside the Baptist 
church at Newton Centre in a delapidated con- 
dition. 

The present site was purchased of William 
C. Ayers in 1875. The church is 32x44 feet, 
has a class room 18x28 feet, a vestibule 8x16 
feet, and its steeple was 80 feet high. It cost 
$4,204.00 and was dedicated Dec. '"O, 1875 by 
Rev. Dr. Reuben Nelson during the pastorate 
of Rev. Isaac Austm, Rev. R. L. Dashiell 
preaching iri the morning and Rev. I. T- Wal- 



Pastoeates 



Prior to 1851 this charge was witli Abiugtou 
and the names of the pastors are not available. 
1851, E. F. Roberts; 1852, J. D. Safford; 1853, 
C. L. Rice; 1854-55, J. LaBar; 1856, P. Hol- 
brook; 1857, J. W. Munger: 1858, C. Perkins; 
1859, D. Personens; 1860-61, J. LaBar; 1862- 
63, G. W. Leach; 1864-65, I. N. Pardee; 1866, 
A. J. VanCleft; 1867-68, I. Austin; 1869-70, 
R. S. Rose; 1871-73, A. Brigham; 1874, A. J. 
Arnold; 1875-77, I. Austin; 1878-80, Wm. 
Shelp; 1881-83, F. Gendall: 1884-85, H. G. 
Harned; 18§6-88.. J. R. Angell; 1889-90, A. II. 
Maryott; 1891-95, J. C. Johnson; 1896-98, G. 
C. Jacobs; 1899-1901, A. Wrigley: 1902-03, E. 
.McMillan; 1904, I. J. Smith: 1904, C. W. 
Smith: 1905, C. li. Woolev; 1906, C. W. 
Smith, 1907-09, H. W. Thomas; 1910-11, W. 
S. Wilcox; 1912, W. C. AVolcott. 

Newton charge was in the Wyoming Dis- 
trict until 1891, when it was changed to the 
Binghamton District, and in 1910 it was added 
to the ^Vilkes-Barre District. H. C. McDermott 
is District Superintendent. 

The name of this charge was changed from 



HISTORY OF NEWTO,N TOWNSHIP 



91 



Newton to Bald Mount in 1904. 

The Newton circuit was taken from part of 
Abington circuit at its formation in 1851 with 
nine places of worship, namely: Newton Cen- 
tre, jMilwaukie, Falls, Mill City, Lake Winola, 
Shock's School-house, West Abington, Schultz- 
ville and LaOrange. In 1888 the charge was 
divided, Falls charge being formed out of some 
of the ai>pointments of Newton charge. Shook's 
appointment was dropped about 1875. Since 
1888 Newton charge has embraced Newton, 
Schultzville and Milwaukie. 



school-houses and wherever most convenient. 
January 18, 1868, Dr. H. S. Cooper, Rev. J. 0. 
Sherman, Johnson Roloson, Jacob Biesecker 
and E. Taylor were appointed a building com- 
mittee. The church building was dedicated 
Nov. 28, 1871, by Rev. W. P. HeUing of Scran- 
ton. It is built of wood, size 36x50 feet and 
was neatly finished and furnished. The church 
l^ropertj' was valued at $5,000. 

After Mr. Sherman, Rev. George Lukins 
preached a year and Rev. Newell Callender 
three years; Rev. W. G. Comstock, 1880-'85; 




OLD M. E. CHURCH AND BAPTIST CHURCH, BALD MOUNT 



Baptist Church. 

The Newton Baptist church is an outgrowth 
(if the Falls Bajjtist church, and was constituted 
in the spring of 1828, in the eastern part of 
Falls, now Newton township, with four raem- 
l)ers: Elias Smith, Samuel Mittan, Catherine 
Litts and ilrs. Fritchell. Rev. Isaac D. Jones, 
a licentiate of the church at Exeter, was the 
preacher until 1833. Rev. .John Miller preach- 
ed occasionally from 1836 to 1839, and Rev. 
James Clark part of 1840. 

February 2, 1845, the Falls Baptist church 
was formallj' disbanded, and the Newton Bap- 
*'st church organized. Rev. Silas Finn preach- 
ed half the time during the next three years, 
and in 1853 Rev. John Miller accepted a call to 
preach half the time. February 9, 1857, he be- 
came pastor, and H. S. Cooper and Benjamin 
Ro,«enkrans were elected deacons. Rev. Charles 
Parker succeeded Mr. Miller, and preached till 
March. 1859. Rev. J. C. Sherman till 
December, 1861, and in the summer of 1862, 
when he entered the army as chaplain. Till 
Ai^ril, 1867, the church was without a pa.stor. 
Then Rev. J. C. Sherman preached a year. 

All this time the church had been meeting in 



Newald Colender, 1885-'89 : Mark Park, 1889- 
'92 ; Thomas Baker, 1892-1904. There has been 
no pastor since 1904. Thirty members were 
enrolled at that time. • 

The Sunday school- was organized in 1872. 
John Coon w'as the first superintendent. 

Presbyterian Church 

On Oct. 29, 1833, the Presbyterian church 
of Newton Centre was organized by Rev. J. 
Rhoades and Rev. J. Dorrance with fourteen 
charter membei-s, namely: Samuel Clark and 
Elizabeth, his wdfe ; Isaac Rozelle and Margaret, 
his wife ; Peter Ayers and Maria, his wife ; Pe- 
ter Corselius and wdfe, Peter Richards and wife, 
Mrs. Matilda Rozelle, Mrs. Mary Carman, Sarah 
Comstock and Mrs. Harriet Thompson. 

Although they w-ere poor, and their families 
were getting along with the hare necessities of 
life, they erected a comfortable house of wor- 
ship in 1848, on a lot donated by W. C. Ayres 
This was a neat church edifice, built of wood, 
being the one now standing, which is in a di- 
lapidated condition. It is a sad reflection upon 
those who are now occupying the places of 



92 



HISTORY OF NEWTO.N TOWNSHIP 



those sturdy pioneers, aud eujoyiiig the fruits 
of their labors, and have not energy tuid interest 
enough to keep the church in decent repair. 

Horace CoUum was the first Sunday School 
superintendent. 

The first deacons were Peter Richards and 
Samuel Clark and the first elders were Peter 
Corselius and Peter Ayers. The first meetings 
were held in school-houses, and Rev. .J. Rhoades 
was the first minister after the organization, who 
filled the pulpit two years. Rev. N. G. Parke 
of Pittstou then supplied the church every four 
weeks. Rev. Owen Brown jjreached once every 
two Aveeks for about two years; Rev. .Jonathan 
Osmond was pastor from 1848 for about ten 
vears; Rev. Wm. C. Holmes came in the latter 



The Seventy-Fifth Anniversary of the 
Organization of the Church 

During the pastorate of Rev. Henry Cardew, 
the Presbyterian church celebrated the se\cnty- 
fifth anniversary of its organization, October 
29, 1908. By request of the pa,stor, D. W. 
Richards delivered the following address: 

As a people we are in the liabit of meeting to- 
gether at certain times to celebrate great events. 
Some of these are of national importance and are 
participated in by all people in all parts of our 
great country. Such is the 4th of .July, which 
commemorates the declaration of our independence 
as a nation. Such is the 2 2d of February, the 
birthday of George Washington. But today we 
meet to celebrate the seventy-flfth anniversary of 
the organization of the Presbyterian church of New- 




PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND THE OLD ACADEMY HALL, Bald Mount, 



part of 1857 and filled the pulpit until April, 
1859: Rev. J. B. Adams from May, 1859 to 
Feb. 7, 1864; Rev. John H. Sargent from May, 
1864 to September, 1869; Rev. A. G. Harned 
from March 6, 1870 to May, 1876 ; Rev. John 
S. Hanna from December, 1877 to January, 
1879. Revs. J. M. Phillips, J. A. Muir, G. G. 
Smith, A. M. Higgins, T. S Bagranoff and H. 
Cardew were the ministers .since .January, 1879. 
Rev. li. Cardew remained two years, until 1909 
Since then the church has been without a pas- 
tor. 

In 1901, during the pastorate of Rev. A. M. 
Higgings, the church was repaired. A bell 
Avas purchased at a cost of $125. The donori 
were D. W. Richards, .John Hice, Charles II. 
Biesecker, Adam Thompson, (now living in 
Scranton) and George W. Beemer. Each gave 
$25.00. 



ton, an event that perhaps only a few now living 
in this vicinity are particularly laterested, and yet, 
who will dare to say that it is or less importance 
than any of the events we celebrate. Who can 
understand and fully realize just what it means, or 
how far reaching the influence of a church of Al- 
mighty God is? Not until the last trumpet shall 
sound shall we know what a power for good New- 
ton church has been in this community. I hold 
in my hand a slip of paper upon which are writies 
the names of the charter members who composed 
this church at the time of its organization seventy- 
five years ago, fourteen in all, nine women and five 
men. (See names in preceding article.) All have 
passed away from earth and gone to their reward, 
but they have left an inheritance to us, that to me 
is very dear. I love Newton church as I could love 
no other. You may ask me why my affections are 
so strong tor this church? I answer it was the 
church of my father, and as 1 love, honor and re- 
vere his memory, so I love his church. Some of 
you perhaps may never know the heart pangs I 
have suffered, when some who bear the name of my 
father have deserted his church. Some of you 



HISTORY OF NEWTOiN TOWNSHIP 



93 



know the historj' of Newton church; her days of 
sunshine and shadows, (as I had almost said, her 
successes and failures ) but how little we know 
what constitutes success or failure in God's arrange- 
ments here. It is true there have been times of 
deep depression and gloom when we were without 
a pastor, an under shepherd to go out and in be- 
fore this people; and worse still when some within 
the fold to whom this church ought to be as dear 
as it is to me, have sought to merge her with an- 
other, and thus close her doors and abandon her 
courts. But I thank God today that Newton 
church still lives, Aye, and will live when the names 
of those who sought to disrupt her shall have 
passed into obiivion. And I am thinking just now 



the Rev. Jonathan Osmond, and supporting him on 
either side I see Elders Ayers, Collum, Richards 
and Dersheimer; but, oh! what a mighty host are 
following them whose faces I do not know. I ask, 
who are all these and what does it all mean? The 
answer comes to me, these are they who have come 
up through Newton Presbyterian church. And 
now I begin to realize something of the magnitude 
of the work that has been done by this church; 
and as I see them marching upward to Zion, bring- 
ing their sheaves with them, I indulge the hope 
that in all coming time at least nine women and 
five men may be found here to perpetuate the 
organization that was effected seventy-five years 
ago, and which today we celebrate. 




NEWTON CENTRE SCHOOI^- HOUSE AND THE P. O. S. OF A. BUILDING 



if my father can look down upon this celebration, 
(and who will dare to say he cannot, for are they 
not all ministering spirits) and if I could hear his 
voice, what do you think he would say? I imagine 
it would be something like this: My son bear aloft 
the banner of Newton church; unfurl it to the 
breeze of heaven; transmit to coming generations 
what we have bequeathed to you. Yes, my friends, 
this is one of the happiest days of my life. I am 
so thankful that my life has been spared, and I 
permitted to partioipate in this celebration; and as 
I stand here today within these sacred walls on 
Presbyterian Hill, my thoughts go on before me, 
and my feelings and vision are akin to those John 
had when on the isle of Patmos. I seem to see a 
great throng gathering from North, South, East 
and West, and they are all coming toward this hill, 
and as they come nearer 1 recognize some of the 
faces. In advance of all the rest are nine women 
and five men arrayed in white and crowns upon 
their heads, and closely following them I recognize 



P. 0. S. OF A. Camp No. 528 

The local camp, No. 528, Patriotic Order 
Sons of America was organized at Bald Mount, 
March 24, 1893 in the old Academy Hall near 
the Prcsbj^terian church, with forty-seven char- 
ter members. Rev. .1. C. Johnson, minister of 
the Methodist church at that time, was elected 
the fir.-^t president. ^Ym. A. Hice and a few 
others were instrumental in having the camp 
instituted. 

Four years later the camp purchased a lot 
adjoitiing the Newton Centre school-house, and 
in the fall of 1897 erected a two-story and base- 
ment building, size 26x46 feet, the upjier floor 
being used for a hall where the members meet 
twice a month. The first floor has a large front 
room furnished with tables, and a smaller room 



94 



HISTORY OF NEWTON TOWNSHIP 



in the rear for a kitchen, equipped with a stove, 
dishes and every necessary article for preparing 
and serving a first-class dinner. 

The camp is in a flourishing condition, hav- 
ing over $1,000 in the bank. There were sev- 
enty-seven members April 1, 1912. The camp 
has been running over nineteen years, and has 
lost by death only one beneficiary member and 
one honorarj"- member. 



ticed for a few months after 1850, and was fol- 
lowed by Dr. J. Keeney, from Laceyville. He 
died in the Spring of 1852. Dr. James Decker 
was the next physician. He died here in 1860. 
Dr. J. A. Hann came to Newton Centre in 1860 
and practiced about twenty-five years. 

Dr. P. F. Hubler, of Huntington, Pa., gradu- 
ated from the University of Pennsylvania, at 
Philadelphia, in 1877, and located in Newton 




M. E. CHURCH AND SCHOOL-HOUSE, SCHULTZVILLE 



Bald Mount Lodge, No. 731, I. 0. or G. T. 

An Independent Order of Good Templars was 
organized at Newton Centre, July 30, 1869 with 
fifty charter members. For several years it was 
in a flourishing condition, holding regular 
meetings on Friday evening of each week in 
Good Templars' Hall. (The old Academy 
Building. ) 

It enrolled over 300 members and had a full 
treasury. Miss Jennie Petty, a sister of Mil- 
ton Petty, was an active member of this lodge, 
and an earnest advocate and worker in the tem- 
perance cause. 

December 26, 1884 the Newton Division Sons 
of Templai-s, No. 31 was organized in Good 
Templars' Hall. They ran for about five years. 

The Physicians of Newton. 

Dr. Andrew Bedford was the first practicing 
physician in Newton, and was succeeded by 
Dr. Hiram Nichols, who lived in Abington. Dr. 
H. S. Cooper, who studied medicine with B. A. 
Benton, M. D., of Tunkhannock, and graduated 
from the Pennsylvania Medical College at Phil- 
adelphia, located at Newton Centre in 1842; 
left in 1850; came back in 1858 and remained 
until his death, June 28, 1902, excepting a year 
he spent in the army. Dr. S. M. Wheeler prac- 



the same year, where he practiced for about ten 
years, when he moved to West Pittston, where 
he is now practicing. Dr. Charles D. Mackey 
practiced here for about six months, coming 
from Montrose about 1886. Dr. C. E. Richards 
located here about 1885 and practiced about five 
years, when he moved to Scran ton. In October, 
1891, Dr. F. I. Smith came from Clifford and 
remained until January, 1897. Dr. Richard and 
Dr. Smith graduated from Jefferson Medical 
College. William H. Newman, graduated from 
the Jefferson Medical College in 1896, and came 
to Newton December 31, 1896, practicing here 
ever since. 

SCHULTZVILLE 

This hamlet was founded and named in 1858 
by John B. Schultz, who then owned all the 
land and other property here. Thirty years ago 
Schultzville was a thriving village of nearly 200 
inhabitants, but since the removal of the tan- 
nery about 1882, the people were not able to 
find employment and moved to other localities, 
and today not over thirty persons are found. 

Schultzville contains a school-house, two 
small stores, a blacksmith shop and one church, 
the Methodist, being on the Bald Mount charge, 
having services every Sunday, One store is 



HISTORY OF NEWTO.N TOWNSHIP 



95 



owned by George Sherman, keeping a stock of 
groceries and a line of dry goods usually kept 
in a small countrj'- store. Philip Harlos keeps 
a small stock of groceries and a stock of the 
different kinds of feed and grain. The black- 
smith shop is owned and operated by Wesley 
A. Winter. 

SCHULTZVILLE SCHOOL 

The first log school-house was built about 
1845 about a rod south of the present building. 
I). W. Richards was one of the early teachers. 
This was known for many years as the "Hog- 
lion Scliodl-house."' Patrick Kelly taught school 
in Ibis building about 1860. 



The Schultzville Church 

The Chapel at Schultzville was built by John 
B. Schultz in 1861, and was for several years 
used jointly for school and religious purposes. 
Since the building of a school-house the chapel 
is used exclusively for religious meetings. 

It was bought by the society in 1885 for 
$250.00, and it is now valued at $700.00. Be- 
fore the erection of this building the Methodists 
worshiped in the school-house at Weiss' Cornel's. 
In 1908 the building was remodeled. 



The Keystone Tannery 
was a thriving industry of Schultzville about 

thirty years ago. 



It was established by John 




FIRE-PROOF SCHOOL-HOUSE 



In those days the scliool-house was used for 
ontertainments and church services. One even- 
ing after an entertainment the door was not 
fastened shut, and during the night an old sow 
belonging to Solomon Hojjkins, who lived near, 
entered the building, after which the door was 
closed, either by the hog or the wind. Three 
or four days later she was found with a litter 
of young jjorkers. After that time it was called 
the "Hog-pen School-house" by every one in the 
community. 

The second school-house was built in 1862, 
near Judson D. Hopkins' residence. This 
building was sold to Solomon Hopkins. 

The present school-house was built in 1868. 
Jliss Mary jNIorrow of Schultzville taught this 
school in 1910-'ll. Twenty-three scholars 
were enrolled. 



B. Schultz, who moved into Pennsylvania in the 
Spring of 1858, from Illinois. 'The same year 
in Tuly, he began the erection of the large 
tannery, together with the necessary buildings 
for carrying on the tannery business, such as 
shop, storage building, store, tenements, etc., 
which was called the Keystone Tannery. Mr. 
Schultz carried on the business until January, 
1866, when he sold the property to A. B. Mc- 
Kinstry and Nial T. Childs of Ulster county, 
New York. They carried on the business for 
about ten years, until May 4, 1876, at which 
time Mr. I\IcKinstry purcha.sed Mr. Childs' in- 
terest, and from that time the business was con- 
ducted under the name of Jackson S. Schultz & 
Co., of New York, until about 1882. when the 
tannery was moved to New York and nearly all 
the tenement houses and other buildings were 
torn down. 

The Keystone Tannery employed about fifty 



96 



HISTORY OF NEWTOiN TOWNSHIP 



men, and had a capacity for tanning 40,000 
hides a year, vahied at $175,000. A large farm 
of 500 acres was run in connection with the 
tannery. At that time this farm was considered 
the largest and most productive in the county, 
producing 300 tons of hay annually, and other 
crops. About twelve to fifteen men were em- 
ployed on the farm and about twenty more were 
employed in the woods, cutting timber and 
pealing bark, making a total of over eighty men 
employed in the tannerj^^ on the farm and in 
the woods. 



terms (1910-'ll and 1911-'12). In 1911-12 
fifteen scholars were enrolled, namely: Carl 
Beck, Norma .Beck, Leah Beck, Lloyd Beck, 
Esther Berry, Olive Fenton, Harry Franey, 
Thomas Franey, Wendall Lacoe, Wallace La- 
coe, Helen Lacoe, Nicholas Reed, Marjorie 
Reed, Gertrude Sweet and Plubert Sweet. 

OosNER School 

This school was named in honor of Lewis 
Cosner, who came from Sussex county, N. J., in 
1816 and settled upon the farm now owned by 




LACOE SCHOOL- HOUSE 



Fire-Peoof School 



Barronet Rodney made the first settlement 
in this district in 1803, on the old Theodore 
Stone farm. This was the second settlement 
in the township. 

The first school-house was built about 1840. 
It was a framed building. The present build- 
ing was erected about 1860. It was named 
"Fire Proof" several years ago, when it was set 
on fire two or three times, and each time went 
out, Avithout doing but slight damage. 

Miss Leona E. Winter, Bald Mount, was the 
teacher in 1910-'ll. Twenty-one scholars were 
enrolled. 

Lacoe School. 

The first settlement in the township was made 
in this district in 1803, by Richard Gardner, 
upon the farm now owned by Peter Corselius. 

The first and only school-house was built 
about_1860. Albert CorseHus, Emily and Hat- 
tie Litts, Jessie Hunt and Lewis Rosenkrans 
were among the first teachers. Miss Vivian 
Bardwell, Tunkhannock, taught the last two 



his grandson, Seldon S. Cosner. The first set- 
tlement in this district was made about 1812, 
or before, by Zebulon Comstock, upon the farm 
now owned by Mrs. Daniel W. La Rue. About 
the same time Parley Von Cleveland located on 
the farm now owned by Anthony McAndrews 
of Scranton (occupied by Elmer G. Swartz), 
and later a Mr. Lutz on the Henry Jacobs' farm, 
recently jjurchased by W. E. LaRue. 

The first school-house in this district was built 
about 1820 on the main road from Newton to 
Scranton, near the present residence of Thomas 
Veety. It was built of hewn logs, and was 
known as the "Morgan School-house." The first 
teachers were Parley Von Cleveland, Anthony 
Briggs and Nancy Ackerly. Another school- 
house was built about 1845, near the present 
site. This was a framed building. It is now 
used for a corn house on Seldon S. Cosner 's 
farm. Daniel Blatchley was the first teacher in 
this building. The third school-house was built 
about 1875." 

Port Royal School 

The first settlers in this district all came from 



HISTORY OF NEWTO,N TOWNSHIP 



97 



New Jei-sey. About 1815 John Walter aud his 
brother, Jacob, settled on the farms now owned 
by Andrew Veety. John built his log-house 
where Mr. "\'eety's tenant house is now located, 
and Jacob erected his rude house opposite Mr. 
Veety's residence. Jonas Fuller located on the 
farm now owned by Fred Eckel, and built his 
cabin across the road from the .spring, about 
fifteen rods south of Mr. Eckel'.'^ home. .Vndrew 
Compton settled and cleared the farm now 
owned by L. B. Ayers, Sr., which included the 
farms owned by Lewis Phillipsky and Peter 
C. Winter. Jeptha ^littau settled on the 
Richard Busteed farm. John K. Reed, a 
school teacher, located on the Kircher farm. 
The first school-house (the present building) 



house, upon which a log school-house was built 
in 1838. The first .school was held without 
door or windows, and the first teacher was j\Iiss 
Harmina F. Olmstead (born Feb. 19, 1816 
and died Aug. 6, 1886). She married Gideon 
P. ilcMillam Among the first scholars were 
Peter Sutton, P. K. Richards, J. B. Richards, 
Abram Agnew, Albert ^'andeBorgert, B. S. 
Drake and Amzi Decker. The present school- 
house was built about 1861, upon the site of the 
first. 

Miss Nora F. Biesecker, Bald Mount, was the 
teacher in 1911-'12. Eighteen scholars were 
enrolled, seven boys and eleven girls, namely: 
Marjorie Coon, Eliza Coon, Laura Coon, Edyth 
Cooii, Raymond Coon, Ralph Kresge, Bertha 




SHOOK SCHOOL-HOUSE 



was built about 1876, when George Snover was 
director. His adopted daughter, Mahala Sno- 
ver, Avas the first teacher. This is the smallest 
school in the township, only about ten families 
living in the district, with a present population 
of less than fifty. Israel Vosburg, Jr., was 
teacher in 1911-'12, with about fourteen schol- 
ars enrolled. Richard Busteed is the oldest in- 
habitant, 85 years, and L. B. Ayers is next, be- 
ing 82 years of age. 

Shook School 

Adam Taylor was the first settler in this dis- 
trict, on the farm now owned by Ira Drake. 
This was about 1825. He made a clearing and 
built his log-house near the spring, above the 
house where Philip Winters is living. Christo- 
pher Taylor, (his brother), Silas Sutton, Wil- 
liam Brink, David Shook and others came later. 

David Shook donated the land for the school- 



iNafus, Ira Nafus, Florence Newman, Mary 
iNewman, Charles Newman, Edith Ferguson. 
Henry Pedrick, ]Merritt Pedrick, Sara Saxe, 
Leota Shook, Ella "\'aughn and Arthur Wins- 
ton. 

Extracts Copied from ax Old Minute Book 

OF THE School Directors of 

Newton Township. 

The Board of School Directors of Newton 
township met at the house of Chauncey Sher- 
wood (where Andrew S. Collum is now living) 
Oct. 18, 1856, and agreed that there be six 
schools ill the District of three months' dura- 
tion each for the coming winter. Teacher's 
salary not to exceed $16.00 per month. 

Directors met at the house of C. Sherwood. 
March 28, 1857 and organized by electing John 
Shook, President; Henry Kern, Secretary, and 
Peter Bedell, Treasurer. 



98 



HISTORY OF NEWTON TOWNSHIP 



Directors met at the house of C. Sherwood, 
Saturday, April 11, 1857 at 2 o'clock P. M., 
aud agreed that a School Tax of three mills on 
each dollar on the last adjusted valuation be 
levied for school purposes for the ensuing year, 
and that the schools be kept open four months 
during the summer. Teacher's salary not to 
exceed $9.00 per moutli; the president and 
secretary to issue orders therefor at the expira- 
tion of the term ; and that the secretary of the 
board receive $1.00 for services rendered. 

Directors met at the house of C. Sherwood 
June 13, ISoT, and Henry R. CoUum was ap- 
pointed collector of school taxes for the year 
ISoV. He having accepted the appointment 
look the Du]iiicate, amounting to $242.71. 

.\ mount of school tax levied in 1859 wa." 
$568.89 at SV^ mills on the dollar. Total val- 
uation of ]3ropertv taxed in Newton in the year 
1859, $175,043.00 and 197 persons taxed. 

Reminiscences of an Old Teacher 

In November, 1856, I commenced to teach. 
I was engaged to teach the school that is now 
known as the Sehultzville school. The school- 
house was built of logs, and chinked between 
the logs with stick.s and mud. In size it was 
about sixteen by twenty feet. Inside, on three 
sides, a board was placed along the .=ides at an 
angle of about forty-five degrees which served 
as a writing desk. A row of ]danks, or slabs 
with holes bored in them and sticks driven in, 
were placed along the desk for the lai'ger schol- 
ars, and a second row made in the same way 
but not so high for the smaller children. The 
house stood on the same plot of ground where 
the i3re,«ent house of more modern construction 
now stands. Within this little log hut, with 
sixty-four pupils huddled together, I spent my 
first winter as a country pedagogue. 

I had always been ambitious to become a 
teacher, and now that my ambitions were to be 
realized I commenced my work with high hopes 
and lofty ideas. Among my pupils were many 
who were niuch larger, and some of them sev- 
eral years older than myself, for I was but a boy, 
not quite eighteen years old, and small for my 
age. I had not taken my examination when I 
commenced the school, but a few days after I 
began work, Mr. John L. Richardson, the coun- 
tv superintendent, called at the school and con- 
ducted the examination orally before the school, 
which was customary at that time, and I re- 
ceived mj' first certificate. I think I felt laraer 
then, than I had ever before or since. Mr. 
Richardson. I think, was the first county super- 
intendent elected in Luzerne county, which at 
that time included the territory that is nf)w 
Lackawanna and Luzerne counties, his prede- 



cessor having been appointed by the Governor. 
The first thing that impressed me was that 
with so large a family it would be necessary 
to have thorough discipline, and I started to 
fight it out along that line. Among the large 
boys that I have mentioned, there was one over- 
grown fellow over six feet tall who seemed de- 
termined to be disagreeable to the small schol- 
ars. I had spoken to him about it, but he gave 
no heed. One day ,1 told him if he did not stop 
it I would whij) him, but he continued. Fin- 
ally I sent one of the boys for a whip ; he 
brought a fine birch, and I gave him s.uch a 
thrashing as I think he had never had before. 
It never occurred to me at the time that he 
could have picked me up and thrown me out of 
the door easily. Some of the other large boys 
told me later that they expected him to fight, 
and they had planned to take care of me and 
give him what he needed if necessary, but he 
took his medicine like a man, and did not mo- 
lest the little ones after that. 

Teaching in those days was very different 
from now. There was no uniformity of text 
books, consequently it wa.s impos.sible to classify 
the pupils, and we were forced to adopt the per- 
sonal method as they do in Conunercial Schools. 
While there has been many changes in our 
.'chools since tho.^e days, and many so called ad- 
vanced methods introduced, yet I question 
whether we are getting anv better results in 
many ways. I was talking a short time ago 
with a teacher who had fourteen scholars. She 
said she had so many classes she could not get 
around to all of them, and some had to be neg- 
lected. In my first school of sixty-four pu- 
pils, there was not a day that the little ones did 
not get four lessons. I call to mind a little 
girl of nine years to whom I taught the A B C's 
and at the closing of the term she could read 
fluently in Sanders' Third Reader. How does 
this compare with the progress made by your 
advanced methods? I know of no way to .judge 
of methods except by the results obtained. 

In those days one of the requirements of a 
teacher was to be able to make a good quill 
pen ; he was also required to board around, and 
while there were things about this custom that 
were unpleasant, and at times embarrassing, yet 
there were many pleasant features about it; 
you formed many acquaintances that in after 
life you look back to with pleasure. I was al- 
ways well fed and always slept in the spare bed. 
As a rule I like to sleep in the spare bed, but 
there are exceptions. I recall an instance; I 
was invited to the home of a very pleasant 
family, but the weather was extremely cold, 
twenty below zero. I was put in the spare bed 
far from the fire, and between a pair of snowy 
white linen sheets. Oh, the shivers I exper- 



HISTORY OF NEWTOiN TOWNSHIP 



99 



ienced when I got into that bed. I can ahnost 
feel them yet. I would have ,been glad to have 
exchanged places with the dog and slept under 
the stove. 

I often think of that winter and my first 
school, and now, at the age of seventy-three, it 
would be interesting to me could I follow the 
historjr of my pupils in their after life, but I 
cannot. Many, I pre.sume are dead, othere have 
gone to other places. A few, I have been able 
to keep in touch with ; among them are George 
S. Snover, a retired farmer living at Mill City; 
Horace Rozelle, who was county commissioner 
of Wyoming county, and George W. Beemer, 
who. is occupying a very responsible po.sition as 
superintendent of the Hillside Home. 

While this was my initial school, I very much 
doubt if I ever taught a better one. I know I 
worked hard to make it a success, and I only 
wish now that I had some of the compositions 
that were written for the closing exercises that 
you might see how my pupils regarded it. .1 
know that I did not get fat in doing the work, 
either in body or jjocketbook. At the close of 
school T tipped the .scales at one hundred and 
twenty pounds. I received $16 per month and 
my board while teaching, so after paying $2 a 
month for Sunday' board and washing it did 
not leave me enough to take a trip to Europe. 

In giving the account of the school-house I 
forgot to mention its name. It was known as 
the "hog-pen school-house." I do not know 
who gave it that name or just why it was called 
that, but I do know, that some who attended 
that school have much better houses in which 
to feed their hogs. 

I soon had a reputation for keeping order. 
and my services were in demand where they had 
trouble in the schools. I remember after I had 
married and had decided to not teach any more, 
Squire Ferguson, from the Falls, came to my 
house and said that "the school above the Falls 
had broken up," and he wanted me to take 
charge of it and complete the term. I did so, 
taking a good whip with me. I gave them but 
few rules, but gave them to understand that I 
expected them to be obeyed to the letter. One 
morning when I entered the school-house quite 
earl J', as my custom was, to make fire and write 
copies before the scholars came, I noticed some 
writing on one of the slates. I picked it up and 
read it. It proved to be an effort to write poetry 
about the teacher. After looking it over I 
thought to answer it in as near the .=ame strain 
as I was able. The spelling was bad, and I had 
intended to strike at everj' word misspelled, but 
did not have time before the pupils began to 
arrive. I herewith give his effort and my 
answer. 



We have a teacher in this hous (house) 
He sometimes looks quite l^ros; (cross) 

He has some hair about his mouth 

That malces him look a good deal wurs 
(worse). 

Yes, and he has a great long arm, 
And in it carries a ten-foot pole. 

And if a child does anj' harm 
He cuts him to the sole, (soul) 

ANSWER. 

We have a boy within our school 

Who sets up for a poec; 
And though I'll not stoop to call him fool. 

I'm sure his poetry will do it. 

His brain, I'm sure, is very small. 

Like any ordinary mouse. 
For when in poetry he tries to spell, 
"H-o-u-s," he thinks, spells house. 

Now a word of caution I would give 

Unto this upshot poet: 
'Tis when he feels like writing verse. 

He'd better never do it. 

Lest in hopes of sudden gain 

That narrow mind of his he strain. 

And burst the prison wall that bind 
The simple powers of a sickly mind. 

I finished the school all right, and did nol 
have to dig any graves either. 

All of which is respectfully submitted by ye 



olden school-master. 



I). W. Richards. 



SCRANTON AND NeWTON TuRNPIKE CoMPANY 

This road was completed Sept. 1, 1869, and 
was owned and managed by the company till 
February. 1891. when it was purcha.'^ed by tlie 
county. David Cosner was the first president. 
Joseph Melhbaum was the gate keeper. The 
toll charged for a horse and buggy was 10 
cents; horse and buckboard, 8 cents; horse and 
rider, 5 cents; two horses and wagon, 15 cents. 

Cloud Burst and Flood of 1909. 

On Friday, .June 25, 1909 the most disastrous 
flood ever known in this section swept through 
Newton and Ransom townships. It began 
rainmg about one o'clock in the afternoon, and 
the water fell in torrents for over three hours. 
Every bridge along Gardner's creek was wa.shed 
out. On the main road between Newton Cen- 
tre and Scranton, near the residence of Thomas 
^^eety, the road was washed out to a depth of 
from six to ten feet for a distance of nearly one- 
fourth mile. Deep ditches were washed through 
valuable meadow land and large trees were up- 
rooted and carried to the river. Many of the 
houses and other buildings were flooded. 

Part of Curtis P. Smith's saw-mill, contain- 
ing valuable lumber, was carried over a quarter 
of a mile and wrecked, and several hundred dol- 



100 



HISTORY OF NEWTOiN TOWNSHIP 



lars worth of lumber lost. The mill-dain at 
iVIihvaukie was washed out, and the null dam- 
aged, ilrthur Jacoby had five acres of pota- 
toes entirely washed out. A smoke house, with 
about 250 pounds of meat, belonging to Henry 
Summerhill were carried away by the stream 
and lost. 

Lake View Poor Farm 

This institution was incorporated under an 
.Vet of Assembly approved April 4, 1868, under 
the name of "Luzerne Poor Farm," for the 
townships of Newton, South Abington and 
iNorth Aldington. About 1904 the name was 
changed to Lake Mew Poor Farm. 

The Lake View Poor Di.strict now includes 
eleven town.ships and boroughs, namely: North 



of the farm and buildings is $16,000 and the 
personal ])roperty, $3,000. The building is 
heated with hot water, and is equipped with hot 
and cold water. 

There were fifteen inmates .lune 7, 1912; 
the youngest ten years and the oldest eightj^- 
four years of age. 

Deputy U. S. Marshal Shot 

There are many conflicting rumors about the 
shooting of Hosey by Noah Smith, whicli has made 
it very diflScult to prepare this short narration. It 
is claimed by a few persons tliat the Deputy Mar- 
shal was James Hosey; others claim his name was 
Hosey Phillips. 

Noah Smith enlisted as a drummer boy at 
the beginning of the Rebellion, when only 




T.AKB VIEW ALMSHOUSE 



Abington, South Abington, West Abington, 
Benton, (ireenfield, Newton and Scott town- 
sliips, and Dalton, Glenburn, LaPlume and 
Waverly boroughs. 

The first farm, containing 126 acres, was pur- 
chased in 18(>8 from Olney Bailey, and in De- 
cember, 1910, 28 acres more were purchased 
from the iVlfred Reed estate, making a total of 
154 acres, of which 120 acres are cleared. The 
first steward was A. M. Pelham. Burton Vande 
Bogert has been the Steward since .July 1, 1907, 
and Mrs. VandeBogert, Matron. A. -T. Thomp- 
son was Steward for eleven years, from Febru- 
ary 10, 1896 to July 1, 1907. 

The building is a wooden structure, two 
stories and basement, size 28x71 feet for the 
inmates, with an addition on the front, size 
2(1x36 feet, for the Steward and his family. 
This new part was built in 1893, during the 
Stewardship of George Vosburgh. The value 



twenty years of age. It is asserted that after he 
enlisted, the .suj^erior officers insisted that he 
should enter active service as a private and not 
as a drummer. Smith was a bold and courage- 
ous young man, and took advantage of the first 
yoiuig man, and took advantage of the first 
opportunity he had for escaj)ing, which was a 
daring feat. He ran pass the guards who were 
stationed on all sides. After making his escape 
he went to a farm house, where the family was 
away. A card was tacked on the door contain- 
ing these words: "Visiting at Uncle John's." 
The door was unlocked, and Smith improved 
the opportunity by entering the house and ex- 
changing his "suit of blue" for a .=uit of citizen's 
clothes which he found hanging in one of the 
rooms. He then started on his journey reach- 
ing his home in Ransom with very little diffi- 
culty. He was captured several times after de- 
serting, and each time escaped. He lived in a 



HISTORY OF NEWTOiN TOWNSHIP 



101 



cave in the rocks in the woods back of his fa- 
ther's liouse for several weeks. 

One daj' in Februarj^, I860, Smith and John 
Raife, anotlier deserter, were invited to spend 
the day and night with Levi Rosenkrans, in 
Newton (where Amzi Rosenkrans is now liv- 
ing), and while there about three o'clock in the 
afternoon, Hosey Phillips, a Dejxrty U. S. ^lar- 
shal, Avith a sleigh load of other men, came to 
the Rosenkrans home to capture the deserters. 
Smith and Raife went upstairs when they saw 
the officers coming. Hosey entered and began 
searching the house. He opened the stair door 
swearing that he would take Smith either dead 
or alive. Smith met Hosej- at the tojj of the 
stairs warning him to stop or he would shoot. 
Ho.sey advanced farther, when Smith shot and 
killed him, then turning to the window he shot 
and injured one of the men standing outside 
the house. Smith and Raife then tied, going 
to Falls through the snow in their stocking feet. 
Here Amos Beemer, a merchant, gave each a 
l^air of boots; then they went to Ransom and 
hid in John Stout's barn for about two weeks, 
and then went West. Later the}' returned to 
Ransom where Smith was married March 23, 
1866 to Miss Catherine E. Jacoby. About two 
j'ears later, one Sunday in Feliruary or ^larch. 
a Mr. Casey and another man from Scranton, 
drove to the Smith home, arrest-ed Smith, and 
took him to Scranton without hat or coat. The 
.=ame day he was taken to the Wilkes-Barre jail. 
About six months later he was tried before 
Judge John M. Cunningham for the murder of 
Hosey. G. M. Harding was his attorney. The 
jury brought in a verdict of not guilty, that 
Smith fired the fatal shot in self defense. 

Noah Smith was born March 13. 1841 and 
died June 4, 1900. He was a son of Peter and 
Sarah (Compton) Smith of Ransom. (See 
Mrs. Catherine Smith of Ransom.) 

Newton" and Ransom Mail Routes 

In the early days a mail route was established 
between Wilkes-Barre and Tuukhannock, via of 
Pittston and Falls. John Pruner was one of 
the first mail carriers. The postage was five 
cents for each letter, to be paid when the letter 
was delivered. Po,stage stamps were not intro- 
duced until 1847. 

The first post-office in Newton townshi]) was 
established in 1835, at Bald ]\lount. The mail 
was carried on horse baclc from Old Forge to 
Falls, making a trip once a week. About 1857, 
Chauncey Sherwood, and a few others, made an 
effort to have it changed to twice a week, in 
which they were successful. 

The mail is now carried daily by Solomon 
VanSickle, over a "star route," from Clarks 
Sunnnit, via of Schultzville. Three rural de- 



livery routes complete the system, two starting 
from Ransom, and one from Clarks Summit. 

Route No. 1, from Ransom, wag established 
Felj. 1. 1907, with Peter Bedell, Jr., mail car- 
rier. This route serves about one hmidred and 
twelve families in Newton, Ran.=om, and Falls 
townships, traversing about eighteen and a half 
miles of road. 

Route No. 2, from Ransom, was started Mar. 
16, 1907, and David H. Bedell was appointed 
carrier. This route serves over one hundred 
families in Ransom and Newton to\niships. 

Route No. 2, from Clarks Summit, was es- 
tablished April 1, 1908 and .serves the families 
along twenty-four and a half miles of road in 
South ^Vbington and Newton townships. Orrin 
S. Sharpe is the mail carrier. 

Six post-offices have been established in the 
two townships, as follows: 



Office 

Ransom, 
Bald Mount, 
Milwaukie, 

Moosic, 

Schultzville, 
Mountain Vallev 



Date Estab. First Post Master 

Apr. 9, 1850 Isaac D. Gulick 

Dec. 23, 1835 Solomon C. Strong 
.July 16, 1855 Nicholas G. Reed 

Office discontinued Mar. 30, 1907 
About 1860 Henry Kern 

Office discontinued about 1866 
,Iune 2, 1864 .John B. Schultz 

, Aug. 7, 1868 Edward B. Trivley 

Office discontinued June 2 5, 189 4 

The Moosic ]>ost-office was located at Kern's 
Corners, where P. P. "N'^o.sburg now lives. 

There are now three post-offices, as follow-s: 

Bald Mount, Andrew Collum, postmaster. 
Schultzville, Cieorge Sherman, po.stmaster. 
Ransom, .Tames P. VanOstrand, postmaster. 

Population of Newtox and Ransom 
Townships Since 1850 

Year 

1850 
1860 
1870 
1880 
1890 
1900 
1910 

The above figures include the inmates at the 
Hillside Home and the Ransom Home 

BALD MOUNT. 

The highe.st point in Ransom and Newton 
town.ships, and surrounding countrj^ for many 
miles is Bald iNIount, being 2,223 feet above the 
sea level. The "pinnacle" or highest point is 
located in Ransom township, a short distance 
east of the Newton line, and about five miles 
westward from Scranton. At its western base 
lies the village of Milwaukie. 

The top of the mount is shorn of its larger 
trees by the force of the wind, which many 



Newton 


Kansoiii 


819 


797 


916 


509 


1,057 


603 


1,027 


646 


1,059 


650 


1,281 


894 


1,417 


849 



102 



ITT8T0RY OF NEWTON TOWNSHIP 



limes sweeps over it with great furj', niakiuti; 
it coiiiparatively bald, tluis tiiving it tlic name. 
When the day is elear a wide "view of field, 
forest and lake is offered, and ten or twelve 
towns and villages ean be seen from its high 
allitnde. One large rock, prominently located 
on the pinnaele, is jierforatod with several holes 
of the caiiaeity of from a quart to a gallon. 
These were proba.bly used by the Indian women 
i'or pounding their corn into samp. This theory 
i.-^ substantiated by flic large number of stone 
pesllcs found near it many years ago. 

Maid JMounl lia^ lieconn' :i popular resort 
during the hot sumnn'r monlbs for persons 
IVom (be (■ro\\-d{'(l cily lo\-iiig Ibc romance of 
luiumlain life. Il is rcncbcd by a long, steeji, 
zigzag road. A sliorl distance below the ]iinna- 
c!e emerges a si)ring, cool and sparkling, where 
many wt'ary and thirsty pedestrians have been 
refreshed by its pure and never-failing waters. 

1x1)1. \x ({(ii.n Si'RiNCJ. 

n'bere is a, tradition of an Indian gold spring 
in Ibis locality where the red man obtained 
Ibc precious metal. 10.\])lorers have searched 
npon every side of Bald Mount for the hidden 
treasure, which has never been found. 

"in 1778, a young man who had been cap- 
lured by the savages in Wyoming ^'alley, was 
carried to the top of a mountain where the 
Wilkes-Barre settlement could be seen in. the 
distance. Here they built their camp fire. A 
transaction took place at this time which, from 
its novel character, excited the surprise and 
ever afterward impressed the mind of the 
young, unharmed captive. A venerable chief, 
lo whom the young man owed his safety, and 
suhsequently his release, removed a large flat 
stone covering the spring. The waters of this 
were so conveyed by a subterranean conduit, 
constructed for the purpose, as regard to the 
real source of the spring. At its mouth a roll 
of bark, forming a spout, was placed in such 
a manner as to direct the current into a hander- 
cliief held under it by two of the Indians. For 
some moments the chief, reverently attended by 
tlK> warriors, arrayed with bow and arrow, and 
forming a circle around him, stirred up the 
.-|iring with a conscious knowledge of its gainful 
icsults. After an h(nu' had elapsed, eveiy stone 
"reviouslv disturbed was restored to its former 
condition ; earth and leaves were left as if never 
touched, and no one, without ocular knowledge, 
would susnect the existence of a water-course. 
'I'he handkerchief, covered with yellow sedi- 
ment, was now lifted from the spout. The 
glittering ijroduct thus gathered by the chief 
was placed in a stone vessel with great care. 
.\fter the fire was extinguished, and certain in- 
cantations performed with ceremonial exactness, 



the Indians left the spot in charge of the wild 
rocks surrounding it, and resumed their march 
toward their land of maize among the lakes. 

'VSix days' walk led the party to Kingston, 
New York, ^vhere the treasures of the moun- 
tain, thus artfully obtained, were exchanged 
\\ith the whites, for such articles as want or ca- 
price suggested to the occupants of the forest. 

"In after years the returned hero often re- 
lated the incident to his family and friends, 
some of whom thoroughly traversed every por- 
tion of Bald Mount and Campbell's Ledge with- 
out discovering the secret channel or the golden 
spring." — Ilollister's History. 

Hillside HoiLE 

On April 9th, 1862, a law was enacted by the 
legislature "to authorize the erection of a poor- 
house by the borough of Dunmore, borough of 
Scranton and township of Providence." The 
corporators and first commissioners were Ed- 
ward Spencer, of Dunmore ; Joseph Slocum and 
David K. Kressler, of Scranton ; and Henry 
Griffin of Providence. 

On June 30, 1862, the district purchased a 
farm of 127 acres from Abraham Polhemus, for 
$6,730.50. This property is located in Newton 
township (part of farm in South Abington), 
Ijackawanna county, nine miles from Scranton, 
on the old turnpike from Clark's Green to New- 
ton Centre. It is also two miles west from 
Clark's Summit station on the Lackawanna 
Railroad, and the Binghamton and Scranton 
Electric Railway. No better location could have 
been selected. The wide and extended view of 
the landscape for many miles westward, toward 
the mountains along the Susquehanna river is 
a never ceasing source of joy and admiration 
to all inmates and visitors. 

Since the purchase of the first farm in 1862, 
there has been added by purchase, 873 acres, 
making a total of 500 acres, and '28 buildings 
have been erected, including the large concrete 
dairy barn now being built. This building is 
38x184 feet, one-story high, built of concrete 
and steel. The window-sash are made of steel, 
no wood being used in the entire structure. It 
will accommodate 100 cows, and will be equip- 
ped with all modern improvements for scientific 
dairying. No hay nor feed will be kept in this 
barn. Another concrete barn, for fodder and 
grain, is being built near. 

The first almshouse was built in 1863. This 
was a wooden structure, size 30x60 feet, two 
stories high. It cost $1,800. This building 
now stands just west of the msane asylum, with 
a basement added, and is used for epileptics. Jn 
1878 another almshouse was erected. This is 
a three-story and basement brick building, and. 



HISTORY OF NEWTON TOWNSHIP 



103 



fince the erection of the new ahnshouse, com- 
pleted in 1906, it is used for the insane inmates. 

The rapid increase of insane patients made 
it necessary to vacate all the buildings formerly 
occupied by sane inmates, within the eleven 
acres inclosed, and devote them to the use of the 
insane. The Directors were unanimous in the 
belief that the sane and insane inmates should 
be kept separate and apart from each other. 
This could only be affected by the erection of a 
new building, outside of the fenced enclosure. 
This was finally decided upon, and a site was 
selected about one thousand feet from the asy- 
lum. 

E. 11. Davis was chosen as the architect to 
prei^are plans and specifications, which were 
adopted by the Board in the spring of 1903. 
The building was completed and occupied iu 
the fall of 1906. Its capacity will ]5rovide for 
four hundred inmates. The frontage is about 
500 feet, two stories high, besides ba.sement and 
attic; is fireproof and thoroughly equipped with 
the latest and best known modern improve- 
ments, the male and female departments being 
entirely separate. The entire cost of the build- 
ing, including foundations, plumbing, electric 
work, heating system, etc.. was $262,946. 59. 

In 1910, a fine brick residence for the Super- 
intendent was erected directlj' in front of the 
new almshouse, near the road, at a cost of about 
$10,000. 

The Asylum and Hospital for Insane con- 
sists of a group of buildings enclosed l)y an iron 
fence eight feet high, under lock and key. The 
space thus enclosed, comprises eleven acres of 
ground, within which are the following build- 
ings: 

Administration Building, with wings, for in- 
sane wards. The basement under each wing, 
formerly used as wards for insane patients, have 
been converted into dining rooms with connect- 
ing corridors to other buildings occupied by pa- 
tients, thus permitting all to enter the same 
without going out of doors. There are two 
other large buildings separate from the Admin- 
istration Building, also connected by corridors 
to the dining rooms. These dining rooms are a 
model in every respect, each having a seating 
capacity of 200, heing 90x50 feet in size, total 
capacity 400. The old dining room was located 
on the "second floor of the Administrtion Build- 
ing. Within this enclo.mire is the Epileptic 
Building (formerly the old Almshouse), also 
the cold storage plant, large play grounds (en- 
closed) , store house (from which all goods, gro- 
ceries and supplies are furnished), laundry, 
bakery, chapel, conservatory and morgue, a base 
ball diamond and tennis court. 

The capacity of the asylum and hospital for 
the insane will provide for 500 patients. The 



male and female departments are entirely sep- 
arate from each other, and the patients classified 
and graded as to wards, as far as possible, ac- 
cording to their mental condition, whether of 
a mild, chronic or violent form. 

Too much credit and praise cannot be given 
George W. Beerner, the present Superintendent, 
for the excellent management of this institu- 
tion, and the manner in which he has carried 
out the various improvements at the Home, the 
work having been done by the inmates, under 
his supervision. 

The Superintendents since the beginning of 
the institution in 1S62, follow: William Cole, 
from Julv 1, 1862 to January, 1864; R. Ileflle- 
Hnger. from .lanuarv to April, 1864. He died 
Ajiril 8th; .1. Y. Decker, from April 12, 1864 
to .lanuarv 1, 1877; J. W. Boice, from January, 
1877 to April, 1883 ; G. W. Beemer, from April 
6. 1883 to April 1. 1888; Charles S. Fowler, 
from April 1, 1888 to January, 1891; G. W. 
Beemer, Januarv, 1891 to present time. 

The value of the real estate is $761, 950. iind 
of the personal jiroperty, $108,172.85, making 
a tfital valuation of $870,122.85. 

There are (July 10, 1912) 686 inmates, of 
which, 483 are in the Asylum and 203 in the 
almshouse. 

Oldest Ixhabitants of Newton Township 
The following persons, forty-seven in all, are 
seventv vears of age or over: 



Mrs. Eliz. Roloson 97 

Mrs. Mary Cornell 87 

Geo. W. Biesecker 87 

Richard Busted 8 5 

John Cooper 8 4 

William H. Scutt S3 

Mrs. Angeline Coon S3 

Mrs. Nancy Spencer S3 

Lewis B. Ayers 8 2 

Chris. VanBuskirk 81 

George Perigo 81 

Mrs. Ruth Hopkins 80 

Mrs. Abigail LaRue 79 

Mrs. L. B. Ayers 7 9 

John K. Goodwin 79 

J. Sterling Ross 78 

Judson J. Cahoon 78 

Mrs. C. VanBuskirk 77 

Judson C. Comstock 76 

Mrs.Frederlca Smith 76 

John W. Ross 75 

Mrs. Lena Flnkler 7 5 

John Roach 7 5 

Mrs. Jno. K. Goodwin 75 



William Garrison 7 4 

Catherine McNay 7 4 

John Ford 73 

Mrs. A. S. Collum 7 3 

D. W. Richards 7 3 

Gould Whitlock 7 3 

Thomas Veety 73 

Mrs. John Shook 72 

Adam Thompson 7 2 

John Cook 7 2 

F. E. Bowman 7 2 

Mrs. John Cook 7 2 

Mrs. William Sealey 71 

Israel Vosburg 71 

Lewis D. Garrison 71 

David Smith 71 

John Shook 71 

Dennis Michaels 70 

Mrs, Thomas "Veety 7 

James E. Roche 7 

Chris Fahs 7 

William Sealey 7 

Wm. E. Thompson 7 



Farming and Dairying. 

The plow and the cow are the ruling uieans 
of livelihood in Newton township. All kinds of 
grain, such as oats, corn, buckwheat, rye, wlieat, 
etc., are raised. Many varieties of fruits, in- 
cluding peaches and plums, are raised in nearly 
every part of the township. Several of the 



104 



HISTORY OF NEWTOiN TOWNSPIIP 



fanners are devotiu.t;' iniicli (if tlieiv liiiiL' In 
.H'rowing strawberries, and lari^e quantities <if 
tomatoes, cabbage, beets and other vegetaliles 
are raised, whieli Hud a ready innrket in iScran- 
ton. Potatoes are extensively grown by several 
farmers in the lownshi|). C 8. Riehards and 
I'eter P. \'osburg being among the large grow- 
ers, having up-to-date machinery for ])lanting. 
cultivating and harvesting the crop. 

There are several farmers in the township 
who devote their lime and energy to dairying. 
Among the leading dairymen who kee]i from 
twenty to (liirly cows, arc Amos (!. HoUister, 
C. S.'Uichards, Ira Drake, L. F. Thom])son, 
C. II. Kresge, T. M. Kresge, \\ . M. Spencer, 
A. II. VanCampen, Philip Marios, Mary Fitz- 
sinmions., Oeorge L. Coon, J. A. Lacoe, Frank 
A. Slate, J. S. Butterlield, and several others, 
keeping from ten to fifteen cows each. 

In 18()7 Peter Finkler began the trucking 
busine,-s, he being (he tirsl to raise garden Iruck 
for market this side of the mountain. l*"or llie 
last few vears nearlv e\erv farmer is engaged 



in this lucrative business, and nearly all kinds 
of vegetables are profitably raised, which are 
hauleci to Scranton and Pittston markets. 



Good People. 

The people of Newton and Ransom townships 
generally, are industrious, home-loving, law- 
abiding, and possess a liberal fund of quiet com- 
mon sense. Serious crimes are rarely if ever 
heard of within our borders and even petty of- 
fenses are infrequent. There are no saloons in 
either Newton or Ransom townships, and a 
drunken person is seldom seen. Indeed, these 
townships in this respect, are above the average. 
Nearly all the families own their own homes, 
and are prosperous. They are hospitable, jseace- 
able and good neighbors. No more industrious 
people can be found in any other section. 
Gould ^^^hitlock, who has been one of the Jus- 
tices of the Peace of Newton township since 
1879, has not had a criminal case for over 
twenty years. 



CHAPTER THIRTEEN 



HOMES AND PEOPLE OF NEWTON 



LEWIS B. AYERS 

Mr Ayers was born in Wantage township, 
Sussex county, New Jersey, November 25, 1830. 
When two years of age he came with his pa- 
rents to iNewton township, wdiich has since been 
his honie, living in the township longer than 
any other person. He is a son of Peter and 
Maria (Drake) Ayers. 

Mr. Ayers school days were limited to four 
winter terms. His father had a large family 
of eleven children, which made it neeessary for 
Lewis to work out at an early age, for which he 
received .$3 per month. When about thirteen 
years old he hired out for 25 cents a day. With 
some of this money he purchased a flint-lock 
shot-gun, nearly 5 feet, 6 inches long, which 
Stephen Winter, a neighbor, brought from New 
Jersey. Mr. Ayers has the gun at this writing, 
loaded and ready for service. 

When about eighteen years of age he hired 
out to his uncle, William Ayers, who had taken 
the contract to make 20,000 railroad ties for the 
1). L. & W. R. R. Company which was then be- 
ing built from Abington to Scranton. The 
next year he began learning the carpenter's 
trade, Vjeing employed by George Walter for $8 
per month. He Avorked at his trade for several 
years. 

Mr. Ayers was married July 6, 1854 to Miss 



Phebe A. Collum, daughter of Henry R. and 
Esther (Skelenger) Collum. To this union 
eleven children were bom, namely: (1) David 
A., born July 21, 1855 and died Sept. 20, the 
same year. (2) William H., bom Aug. 21, 
1856 and died Jan. 10, 1858. (3) Albert, born 
Feb. 19, 1858 and died July 31, 1851. (4) 
Amos H., born March 24, 1861. He married 
Miss Catherine Maas, daughter of John and 
Catherine (Barth) Maas of Ransom. They 
have nine children living : Frank, Nellie, Edith, 
Roy, Anna, Jessie, Alice, Ruth and Emma. 
(5) John W., bom Dec. 4, 1862_, and married 
Miss Helen Storey. He was killed July 15, 
1902, by lightning on Forkston mountain, 
leaving a family of eight children, six of whom 
are living: Eliza, Myrtie, David, Justin, El- 
mer and Arthur. (6) Lewis B., born Jan. 23, 
1865. He married Miss Dora Fahs. They 
have one son, Oscar. (7) Lizzie M., born 
;\Iarch 10, 1867. She married Edward Taylor, 
and has one daughter, Bessie. (8) Hattie B., 
born Sept. 16, 1871. She married George 
vSmith. They have five children : Mable, Lewis, 
Ethel, Belle and Albert. (9) Cora L., bom 
Aug. 6, 1873. She married Charies Pfuhl. 
They have five children : Eva, Kate, Irene, 
George and Clarence. Mr. Pufhl died July 1, 
1912. (10) Peter C, born Feb. 27, 1875. He 



UlSTOliY OF NEWTO.N TOWNSHIP 



105 



was married July 30, 1902 to Miss Mary J. Bra- 
dican, daughter oi Peter and Mary (Derrig) 
Bradican. (11) Katie J., born Jan. 18, 1879, 
and married Archie Fitch of Mill City, Sept. 
•20, 1901. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ayers have twenty-seven grand- 
children and nineteen great grandchildren liv- 
ing. 

Mr. Ayers moved to his present home in 
1884, and since then has been engaged in farm- 
ing. He was tax collector and constable in 
Newton for several yeai's. About 1869, he pur- 
chased of Chauncey Sherwood the hotel at New- 
ton Centre (building now owned by Andrew 
Colluni), which he conducted for five years. 



bringing his family and goods with him. The 
journey from New Jersey to the Keystone State 
was made with ox teams through the woods, 
their path from Slocum Hollow (now Scran- 
ton) being laid out by marked trees. The near- 
est store was located at Razorville (now Provi- 
dence), where the early settlers purchased their 
scanty supply of groceries and other necessary 
articles. 

Peter Ayers was a son of David Ayers, whose 
father came from Scotland and established a 
shipyard at Sandy Hook, New Jersey, in 1759, 
at the time the Eevoutionary War broke out. 

Peter Ayers was married Sept. 30, 1820 to 
Miss Maria Drake, daughter of Benjamin 




LEWIS B. AYERS AND FAMILY. 

Upper Row — Mrs. Lizzie M. Taylor, Mrs. Hattie B. Smith, Mrs. Katie J. Fitcli, 

Peter C. Ayers 
Lower Row — Mrs. L. B. Ayers, L. B. Ayers, Amos Ayers, L. B. Ayersji Jr. 
This Picture was taken July 6, 1912, Mr. and Mrs. Ayers Fifty-eighth 
Wedding Anniversary 



Mrs. Ayers was born July 6, 1835 in Sussex 
county, New Jersey. She is a sister of Andrew 
S. CoUum, the postmaster at Bald Mount. 

j\lr. Ayers was born the same year (1830) the 
first railroad in the United States was com- 
pleted. 

Peter Ayers came to Newton township Mar. 
25, 1832, from Wantage township, Sussex coun- 
ty. New Jersey. He took up a tract of land 
about one-half mile northeast of Brushy Ridg-e, 
(now Newton Centre) and cleared about two 
acres on a portion of the farm now owned by 
Harlan .Jacoby, preparing to build a log-house. 
Soon afterward he sold his claim to Henry 
Walter for a yearling heifer. During the same 
year he took up another claim on the farm now 
owned by Chas. Biesecker. Here he made a 
clearing and erected a log-house (about twenty 
rods east from the Methodist church near Gard- 
ner's creek) . He returned to New Jersey in 
the fall, remaining with his family until Sep- 
tember, 1883. Then he came back to Newton, 



Drake. They had a family of eleven children, 
namely: Elizabeth, born Aug. 18, 1821; David, 
born Feb. 14, 1823 ; Jacob, born ,Nov. 17, 1824 ; 
Lucinda, born Oct. 4, 1826; Margaret, born 
Sept. 4, 1828; Lewis B., born Nov. 25, 1830; 
John, born Aug. 8, 1833 ; William, born March 
27, 1835; Martha Jane, born Jan. 25, 1836; 
Alvin, born Dec. 1, 1838; Elsie, born Oct. 17, 
1851. Only two are living, Lewis B. of New- 
ton and Elsie, who married Allen Weed and is 
living in Dushore, Pa. 

Benjamin Drake was born in 1765 and died 
in 1842 in New Jersey. He was a son of Isaac 
Drake, born about 1732 and died about 1806. 
He is a descendant of Sir Francis Drake, the 
sea rover, explorer and destroyer of the Spanish 
Armanda. It is now more than 300 yeare since 
Sir Francis Drake wiped the Spanish fleet for- 
ever from the English channel. Lie died about 
1595, leaving an''estate worth $500,000. It is 
said that this vast amount lies in chancery in 
England, unclaimed. 



106 



HISTORY OF NEWTOiN TOWNSHIP 



Elizabeth Drake, daughter of Benjamin, 
was married June 13, 1801 in Sussex county, 
N. J., to Barronet Rodney. Tliey left New 
Jersey in 1802, and, following the Delaware 
river, landed in this corner of the State. They 
settled in Newton township about 1803, locating 
on the old Theodore Stone farm (near Hillside 
Home), now owned by Thomas McDonald of 
Scranton. Mr. Rodney built a log-house on the 
west side of the road leading from Schultzville 
to Kern's Corners, near the ledge, about tliirty 
rods from the present residence. 

WILLIAM D. AYERS 
Mr. Ayers is the son of Jacob and Mary 
(Milhgan) Ayers, and grandson of Peter Ayers, 
one of the pioneer settlers. 

Wm. D. Ayers married IMiss Matilda Mun- 

son, Feb. 3, 1897, the only daughter of .John 

and Pernella (Nelson) INIunson of Ransom. 

' Mr, and Mrs. Ayers ha^-e five children. Their 

names may be found in the Directory. 

Jacob Ayers, born in Sussex county, N ,7 
Nov. 17, 1824 and died Mav 30, 189i on the 
old David Madison Smith farm. Maiy, his 
first wife, Avas born Aug. 18, 1837 and died in 
January, 1872. She was the oldest daughter of 
Thomas and Elizabeth (Lacoe) Milligan. Ja- 
cob had seven children bv his first wife: Har- 
riet E., born Aug. 5, 1856 and died Jan. 2fi, 
1859. Elsa, born Nov. 11, 1858 and died. Dec. 
31, 1859. Rosey, born Oct. 19, 1860 and died 
Jan. 20, 1862. Ida, born. Nov. 8, 1863 and 
married Arthur Jacoby of Newton. Viola, born 
April 24, 1866 and died Aug. 23, 1866. Cath- 
erine, born Dec. 19, 1867 and married Benj. 
Jacoby of Ne-iA-ton. William, born April 20, 
1869. Jacob Aj^ers married Amanda Smith, 
daughter of Isaac Smith, for his second wife, to 
whom four children were born: George, Mary, 
Clarence and Isaac. Onlv Isaac ds living. He 
was born Mar. 18, 1882." After Jacob "Ayers' 
death, his widow married Judson Gaboon, May 
6, 1903. Jacob Ayers was a son of Peter and 
Maria (Drake) Ayers. 

GEORGE W. BEEMER 

Mr. Beemer comes of a family that has long 
been identified with the history of Newton. His 
grandfather, Henry Beemer, came to this town- 
ship from Sussex county, New Jersey, in 1819, 
purchasing 250 acres of land, where he develop- 
ed a farm out of the woods. Part of this farm 
is now owned by his grandson, George W. (See 
Henry Beemer.) 

Our subject was born April 14, 1848 on the 
farm which he now owns. The life of a farmer 
is not devoid of opportunities for the practice of 
the sterling virtues of industry, perseverance and 



brotherly kindness. On the contrary, it affords 
abundant chance to those who wish to build uj.i 
an irreproachable character, while carrying on 
the vocation in which they hope to secure a Com- 
petence. Mr. Beemer was, born and reared on 
a farm._ Much of his attention through life has 
Ijeen given to tins work, in which he is con- 
sidered very efficient. For about six years from 



1885, he conducted 



arge dairy of forty cow^ 



Mr. Beemer received his education in the dis- 
trict schools (Schultzville and Fire Proof) and 
Madison Academy at Waverly, this county, at 
that time the only prejiaratory school in' this 
section. Later he attended tjoweirs Business 
College hi Binghamton. Here he graduated 
from a Commercial course in 1867. 

February 11, 1878, Mr. Beemer became .^uji- 
erintendent of the Lake View Poor Farm m 
Abington, remaining tluw for five years, May 
1, 1883, he was ap])ointed%ipi'rintendent of the 
Hillside Home. Resigiiitlia: iKi^W t. 18S8, he 
engaged in farming untilliv-'iviV^ n^aln a|ip'iinl- 
ed January 1, 1890. Since thmijir has devoted 
most of his lime lo the work <™'his institution. 
From the appearance of the ii^tulion no mis- 
take was made in selecting hini" to fill this w- 
spoiisible, position: 

Mr. Beemer was married November 2-"). 1S7S 
to Miss .h'lniie, daughter of Nicholas and Har- 
riet (McEweu) Young. Her father, a native 
.of Germany, .fill lie alone In this country at the 
age of fourte^',1,1. His ])riiu'ipal occupation was 
that of ■ a tanner. Mrs. Beemer_was born .luly 

24, 1854 in Ulster 'county ,'"New' York. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Beemer two sons were l);)ru : 
Horace A., born Aug. 8, 1879 and died Julv 

25, 1880; Floyd D., born Aug. 5, 1888. He is 
a graduate of Key:-t.one Academy and Bucknell 
University, He now holds a trusted position 
in the Providence Bank, Sdranton. 



Elias Beemer (father of our subject and a 
son of Henry), was born in Sussex county. New 
Jersey, Aug. 19, 1806 and died March 29, 1896 
on the homestead farm. He was twice married, 
first, to Miss Caroline, daughter of Joseph Ba- 
ker of Newton. She Avas born in Februarv, 
1809 and died July 11, 1841. Plis second wiife 
Avas Miss Phebe iVllnight, daughter of John and 
Catherine (Hooper) Albright of Abington. 
She Avas born Feb. 17, 1825 and died Feb. 
17, 1901. Soon after his second marriage, Mr. 
Beemer built a saw-mill on his farm, and for 
about fifteen years enga.ged in lumbering. 

Mr. Beemer had seven children by his second 
wife, namely: (1) Allen D., born Dec. 19, 1842, 
and married Miss Belle Ackerly. He was a sol- 
cder in the Rebellion, enlisting in Aug., 1861, 
in Company K, 11th Pennsyh'ania Cavalry, and 
.?erved until the close of the Avar. About 1870 
he Avent West, locating in Gumming county. 



\ 







H 

O 
K 
O 



O 

z 



HISTORY OF NEWTON TOWNSHIP 



109 



Neb. Here he started the new town of Beemer. 
He was twice elected sheriff of tlie county. He 
died in April, 1909, while warden of the State 
Penetentiary. (2) .Jennie, born April 14, 1845, 
and married 0. D. HolHster of Avoca. (3) 
George W., our subject. (4) Plorace D., born 
Aug. 29, 1849, and about 1875 went to Wyom- 
ing where he married. He is a director of the 
First National Bank of Laramie City, Wyo. 
(5) Ella, born .July 4, 1853, married W. H. 
HoUister, a brother of 0. D. HoUister. He is 
a coal operator and a merchant in Avoca. (6) 
Samuel W., born Nov. 18, 1855, and is a store 
keeper at the Hillside Home. (7) Oakley, 
born Aug. 15, 1855, and married Miss Etta 
Smith. They are living in Clark's Sununit. 



turity he went to Trumble county, Ohio. Here 
he worked for his brother, G-eorge, on a farm 
during the summer returning to New Jersey in 
the fall. He then worked for his father until 
tAveuty-five years of age, when he was married 
November 30, 1865 to Miss Phebe J., daughter 
of Geratus and Mary (VanEten) Major of 
Hainesville, New Jersey. 

Mrs. Bowman was born July 12, 1846 and 
died Jan. 24, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Bowman 
were the parents of four children, namely; (1) 
Marrilla C., born Sept. 14, 1866. She married 
Samuel E. Gregory, son of James K. and Mary 
(Trauger) Gregory of Lake Winola. Mr. and 
Mrs. Samuel E. Gregory are living at Lake Win- 
ola. He is a dealer in organs, pianos and 




F. B. BOVS^MAN'S RESIDENCE 



M,ISS VIVIAN BARDWELL 

Miss Bardwell was born Oct. 19, 1893, in 
Tunkhannock and is a daughter of Robert W. 
and E.stella (Trauger) Bardwell. 

Miss Bardwell attended school at Tunhan- 
nock until thirteen years of age, when she 
entered the East Stroudsburg Normal School, 
from which she graduated June 23, 1910. In 
September the same year she began teaching 
the Lacoe school in Newton township, where 
she is now teaching her second term. 

FRANCIS EDWARD BOWMAN 

Mr. Bowman was born July 31, 1840 at 
Frankford Plains, Sussex county. New Jersey. 
He is a son of George and Susan (Bedell) Bow- 
man. 

Mr. Bowman attended the common schools 
of Frankford township until alaout eighteen 
years of age. After he reached the age of ma- 



sewing machines. They have a family of four 
children : Nina M., Harry W., Mary and Hor- 
ace S. (2) Melcena K., born June 30, 1868 
and married Horace F., son of Lafenas aird 
Caroline (Storms) Smith. They are living in 
Evanston, 111. They have one adopted daugh- 
ter, Edna M., born March 6, 1901. (3) Charles 
M., born June 15, 1872. He married Miss 
Minnie, daughter of Nathan and Julia (Rob- 
erts) Deubler of Bardwell, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. 
Charles Bowman have a family of four chil- 
dren: Allie Keath, Francis E._, Anna B. and 
George J. Thev are living in Factoryville. 
(4) Arthur C, born Jan. 20, 1876 and died 
March 28, 1877. 

After the death of his first wife Mr. Bowman 
married again, March 18, 1877, to Mrs. Huldah 
A. Tidaback. She was born Oct. 10, 1849 in 
Newfoundland, New Jersey, and a daughter of 
John G. and Elizabeth (Kimble) Pittenger. 
She married Theodore Tidaback, July 5, 1868. 



110 



HISTORY OF NEWTON TOWNSHIP 



He died of typhoid fever, Sept. 29, 1874. 

Mr. aiid J\lrs. Bowman came from Sussex 
county. New Jersey to Factory ville, Pa., in Feb- 
ruary, 1880. They came to Newton April 2, 
1893, purchasing their present home from the 
Thojuas Kresge, Sr. estate. 

George Bowman was born July 23, 1794 
in Sussex county, New Jersey and died April 

28, 1873 in Frankford township, Sussex county, 
New Jersey. He was a son of Gershom and 
Elizabeth (Price) BoAvman. He (George) mar- 
ried Miss Susan, daughter of John and Cath- 
erine (Hough) Bedell. John Bedell was born 
Aug. 20, 1746. His wife was born April 7, 
1746. Mrs. George Bowman was born June 
21, 1796 and died Sept. 24, 1887 {See Bedell 
Family.) 

Mr. and Mrs. George Bowman were the pa- 
rents of nine children, namelv: (1) Gershom, 
born Aug. 6, 1819 and died Jan. 2, 1821. (2) 
Marilla, born Feb. 19, 1822 and died Oct. 11, 
1868. She married William Stivers for first 
husband and her last husband was Stephen R. 
Crane. (3) Jane C, born June 6, 1824 and 
died April 10, 1891. She married Jacob 
Washer, and after his death, Charles Day. (4) 
John, born Sept. 18, 1826 and died Nov. 21, 
1899. He married Miss Ursula Wilson. (5) 
George J., born April 24, 1829 and is living in 
Branchville, New Jersey. He married Miss 
Cornelia Ludlam. (6) Peter, born Nov. 25, 
1831 and is living in Branchville, New Jer.?ey. 
He married Miss Eustatia Ann Terwilligei-. 
She died Dec. 1, 1874. His .second wife was 
Miss Ellen Kurent. (7) .James H. born Mav 

29, 1834 and died Sept, 2, 1895. He was 
thrice married, first to Miss Ann Compton, who 
died a few years later. His second wife was a 
Mrs. McKeeby. After her death he married 
Miss Mary Snook. (8) Oscar S., born Aug. 5, 
1837 and died Nov. 22, 1900. He married 
Miss Matilda. Compton, a sister of James Bow- 
man's fir.st wife. (9) Francis E., the subject of 
this sketch. 

Gershom Bowman, the grandfather of our 
subject, was born Sept. 18, 1747 and died Oct. 
28, 1843. He married Mrs. Elizabeth (Price) 
Stoll. She was born Oct. 18, 1749 and died 
Sept. 18, 1844. Gershom Bowman settled in 
Frankford town.ship, Sussex county, New Jer- 
sey. He was a son of John Bowman who was 
born in Holland, July 18, 1662. 

THE BIESECKER FAMILY 
Jacob Biesecker and his son, John, came 
from Bethlehem, Pa., about 1823 and settled 
on farms in Providence, which they sold for 
coal land in 1846 at $100 per acre, and came to 
iNewton. Here they bought a farm of Edward 



Rozelle, where Chas. E. Lacoe now lives. They 
later bought the farms where Wm. J. Biesecker 
and Chas. Kel-ler are living. 

Jacob Biesecker was born May 20, 1779 and 
died May 11, 1863 in Newton, and is buried in 
the Newton cemetery. He married Miss Eli- 
zabeth Swartz, who was born Dec. 3, 1781 and 
died Dec. 16, 1872. They had three children, 
Kate, John and Hannah. Kate died several 
years ago. Hannah married John Krotzer for 
her first husband, to whom was born one son, 
Benjamin. Her second husband was John 
Keller, and to them two children were born : 
Mary and Charles. Charles is living in New- 
ton near Hillside Home. 

John Biesecker, the son of Jacob and Ehz- 
abeth Biesecker, was born July 27, 1801 and 
died in Newton on the farm now owned by 
Charles E. Lacoe, Feb. 26, 1862. He married 
Miss Elizabeth Welda. They had seven chil- 
dren: Jacob li., George, William, Mary, Han- 
nah, Sarah and Catherine. Mrs. Elizabeth 
Biesecker, the wife of John, was born i\hirch 

24, 1799 and died Aug. 31, 1875. 

Jacob H. Biesecker, the son of John and 
Elizabeth (Welda) Biesecker, was born Oclobcr 

25, 1823 in Providence and died Nov. 10, 1881 
in Newton, where his son Charles now lives. He 
was married Sept. 14, 1847 to Miss Eleanor 
Krotzer, daughter of David (b. Jan. 1, 1789 — 
d. June 22, 1861), and Elizabeth (b. Aug. 12. 
1787— d. Oct. 21,' 1851) Krotzer. To" this 
union four children were born: Charles H., 
born Oct. 8, 1849; Catherine, born July 9, 
1848 and died May 23, 1894; George W., W-n 
Feb. 2. 1855; Willie F., born Oct. 25, 1866 .and 
died Aug. 2, 1869. 

GEORGE W. BIESECKER 

The subject of this sketch is one of the fore- 
most citizens of Newton township, being a life- 
long resident. He was born Feb. 2, 1855, and 
a son of Jacob H. and Eleanor (Krotzer) Bie- 
secker. 

Mr. Biesecker attended school at Newton Cen- 
tre until eighteen years of age, when he entered 
Keystone Academy. He lived on the farm Avith 
his father imtil tAventy-tAVO years of age, Avhen 
he Avas married, March 15, 1877, to Miss Ger- 
trude Knapp, the only daughter of Truman 
and Mary A. (SAA'alloAv) Knapp of Newton. 

The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Biesecker 
Avere Joseph and Mary (Cooper) SwalloAV. Mr. 
SAvalloAA' Avas born in NeAv Jersey, July 7, 1781. 
His Avife Avas born in Wilke,?-Barre, Feb. 9, 1786 
and died in NeAvton at the home of her daugh- 
ter, Mrs. Knapp, Aug. 13, 1878. George Coo- 
per, the father of Mary Cooper, was of Revolu- 
tionary fame. 






HISTORY OF NEWTO.N TOWNSHIP 



111 



Since their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Biesecker 
have resided at their present home, on the 
Knapp farm, where he has been engaged in 
dairying and truck farming. In the Spring of 
1884 Mr. Biesecker purchased the Corsehus 
farm, adjoining the Knapp homestead, for 
$5,000 aiid finished paying for the same four 
years later. 

Mr. Biesecker has been a member of the I. 
0. 0. F. MilAvaukie Lodge, No. 267, for over 
tAventy-five years, and also a charter member of 
Newton Grange No. 251. 



in 1887, when they traveled through the middle 
West. The second time was in 1893, when they 
attended the World's Fair at Chicago, and visit- 
ed friends in several states this side of the Rocky 
j\Ioun tains. 

Mrs. Biesecker is a cousin of Silas C. Swallow, 
a candidate for jDresident on the Prohibition 
ticket in 1904. 

Mr. and Mrs. Biesecker have four children, 
namely: (1) Arthur S., born Aug. 12, 1878, 
and graduated from Wyoming Seminary and 
State College, and is now Traveling Electrical 




RESIDENCE OF G. W. BIESECKER 



Mr. Biesecker cast his first ballot for the Pro- 
hibition Party when twenty-one years of age, 
and has since been allied with this party. He 
is a member of the Methodist Church, being a 
trustee and steward for about twenty-five years. 
He has been superintendent of the M. E. Sun- 
day School since 1884. 

Mr. and Mrs. Biesecker were sent as State 
Delegates to the International Sunday Schoool 
Convention which was held in San Francisco, 
Cal., June 20-27, 1911. They spent a month 
sight-seeing on the Pacific Coast and in the far 
West. On their return trip they visited several 
weeks among relatives of the middle West. 

Mr. and Mrs. Biesecker made two previous 
trips to the western states. The first time being ' 



Inspector for the Lackawanna R. R. Co., with 
headquarters in Scran ton. He was married 
June 11, 1908 to Miss Norma G. Decker of 
Falls. (2) Mary Belle, born Oct. 5, 1880. She 
attended Wyoming Seminary for three years, 
and was married Nov. 29, 1900 to I. S. LIunt, 
and has since resided in Scranton. Mr. and 
Mrs. Hunt are the parents of four children : 
Wells, Eleanor and Dale are living. Gertrude 
died Nov. 1, 1907, aged 18 months. (3) Elea- 
nor K. was born Aug. 22, 1884. She graduated 
from East Stroudsburg State Normal School and 
taught three years. She was married June 27, 
1908 to J. Garfield Harris of Wilkes^-Barre, and 
has since resided at Dorranceton. They have 
one son, Richard Wayne. (4) Truman Knapp, 



112 



HISTORY OF NEWTOiN TOWNSHIP 



born Feb. 4, 1889. He attended school at Stark- 
ley Seminary of York State, and graduated in 
a commercial course from Wyoming Seminary. 
He was married May 18, 1911 to Miss Oelo 
Eifenbary, daughter of George Rifenbary, Su- 
perintendent of the Ransom Home. They are 
living with his father and working the home 
farm. 

Truman Knapp was born in Scranton, Dec. 
30, 1816 and died in Newton, Dec. 29, 1889. 
He was married Jan. 27, 1846 to Miss Mary 
Ann Swallow, who was bom Jan. 28, 1819 and 
died March 18, 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Knapp 
were the parents of six children, namely: Eu- 
gene, Charles, Joseph, Frank, George and Ger- 
trude. 

Zephaniah Knapp, the grandfather of Mrs. 
Biesecker, was born March 18, 1779 and died in 
Hyde Park, Dec. 30, 1861. His wife, Nancy 
Fellows, was born in England in 1786 and died 
in Hyde Park, May 14, 1869. They had ten 
children. 

CHARLES H. BIESECKER 

Charles H. Biesecker is a son of Jacob H. and 
Eleanor (Krotzer) Biesecker, and a grandson of 
John. Chai'les H. was born in Newton near 
the Hillside Home, Oct. 3, 1849, and came 
with his parents to the farm where he now 
lives when about eleven years of age. He at- 
tended school at Newton Centre until about 
eighteen years old. He worked for his father 
on the farm until twenty-five years of age, when 
he was married to Miss Jennie Vandenburg, 
daughter of James and Mary Vandenburg, Dec. 
10, 1874, to whom seven children were bom : 
Corinne, born Nov. 12, 1876, and married Giles 
J. Miller, March 20, 1909, and are living in 
Lansford, Pa.; John C, born March 3, 1878 
and married April 13, 1909 to Miss Jennie 
Tewksbury, and are living in Scranton ; Wil- 
liam J., born March 7, 1881 and married Jan. 
2, 1906 to Miss Mable E. Reed ; A. Grace, born 
Dec. 31, 1882 and married Roy Zeiss and are 
living in Ransom; Nora F., a school teacher, 
born Sept. 4, 1885. LiUian, born Feb. 10, 
1887 and died March 27, 1888. Carl H., born 
Jan. 22, 1893 and is attending school at Lans- 
ford. 

Mrs. Jennie Biesecker, the first wife of Chas. 
Biesecker, died April 10, 1906. 

For his second wife Mr. Biesecker married, 
Oct. 10, 1908, Mrs. Elsie J. Stevens, widow of 
Fred Stevens of Dunmore. 

Mr. Biesecker was elected township treasurer 
in February, .1882 and held the ofhce for twen- 
ty-eight years. He was school director for six 
years. He was also elected poor director about 
1903. 



Mr. Biesecker joined the Presbyterian church 
about 1880 and two years later wa.^ elected elder, 
serving in this capacity ever since. He was one 
of the five who purchased the bell for the church 
in 1901. 

Charles H. Biesecker has been a successful 
farmer. For over twenty years he has been an 
extensive grower of garden truck and for fifteen 
years has kept from twenty to twenty-five cows. 
He also sells from forty to fifty tons of hay each 
year. 

Mr. and Mrs. Biesecker were appointed State 
Delegates to the International Sunday School 
Convention AA'hich was held in San Francisco, 
Cal., June 20-27, 1911. They visited several 
places of interest on the Pacfiic Coast, and on 
their return visited relatives in the middle West. 

WILLIAM J. BIESECKER 

Mr. Biesecker is a son of Charles H. and 
Jennie (Vandenburg) Biesecker, and was born 
on the farm where he now lives. He attended 
school at Newton Centre until nineteen years of 
age, and in September, 1901, he entered the 
State Normal School at East Stroudsburg, at- 
tending one term. 

He worked for his father until he was mar- 
ried, Jan. 2, 1906 to Miss Mable E., the oldest 
daughter of B. Frank and Mary (Klipple) 
Reed. 

Mrs. William J. Biesecker completed the sten- 
ographic coursie from the Scranton Business Col- 
lege, and worked for about four years in differ- 
ent offices in Scranton. She is a descendant of 
Robert Reed, who came over in the Mayflower. 

Mr. and Mrs. Biesecker have two children: 
Helen M., born Jan. 2, 1908 and Zida A., born 
March 25, 1909. 

B. F. Reed was born March 13, 1859 and 
a son of Nicholas G. (b. Dec. 15, 1827) and 
Sarah (Petty) Reed. She was born Dec. 29, 
1839. 

Mrs. B. F. Reed was born Sept. 5, 1859, and 
a daughter of Wenzel and Catherine (Zeiss) 
Klipple, who came from Germany. 

OSCAR 0. BRITTON. 

Mr. Britton is the second son of John and 
Helen (Dickinson) Britton. John Britton was 
a carpenter, and his three sons learned the same 
trade. Oscar began learning the trade with his 
father when only thirteen years old. He en- 
tered Keystone Academy when sixteen years of 
age. In 1891 he went to the Pacific Coast, re- 
turning in September, 1893. In September, 
1894 he began teaching school in Wyoming 
county, which he followed for nine years. Since 
1903 he has worked at his trade, devoting much 
of his time on the buildings at the Hillside 



HISTORY OF NEWTOiN TOWNSHIP 



113 



Home. He was married in 1894 to Miss Carrie 
E., daughter of Amzi Rozelle. Mr. and Mrs. 
Britton have a family of seven children. {See 
Directory.) 

THE BUTTERFIELD FAMILY 

CH.iRLES BuTTERFiELD was bom in England 
aiiout 1600, or earlier, and was elected to Parli- 
inent. He went to Ireland, became interested 
in Ireland's affairs and married an Irish girl. 
On his return to England he made a siaeech in 
Parliament in favor of the Irish, for which he 
was expelled and transported to this country. 
He was the father of Benjamin. 

. BKX.TAsrix BuTTEEFiELD was born in Charles- 
town, Mass. as early as 1638, perhaps earlier, 



Reuben, born July 30, 1824 and died in Cali- 
fornia; Beebe, born Aug. 4, 1826; Andrew J., 
born Nov. 16^ 1827, and in 1849 went to Illi- 
nois, successfully invested in land, and when 
he died had accumulated great wealth. All 
have been dead for several years. 

Benjamin S. Butterfield, son of Charles 
and Roxcenia (Smead) Butterfield, was born 
Feb. 6, 1815, where the city of Binghamton is 
now located. About 1835 he came to Clark's 
Green. He was a wagon maker by trade. He 
moved with his family to Newton about 1856. 
He bought and sold several farms, and in 1872 
exchanged for the farm now owned by his son, 
.John. "Here he died .July 6, 1891. 

Mr. Butterfield was a loyal Republican, and 



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RESIDENCE OF .lOHN S. BUTTERFIELD 



and was the father of John Butterfield. We can 
lind no. record of John's birth, but find that he 
lived in Westford, Mass., and later moved to 
Litchfield, N. H. 

Charles Butterfield was a son of John 



Buttertield, and 
Westford, Mass. 



was 



born Sept. 25, 1735 at 



■ Charles Butterfield, Jr., was a son of 
Charles, and a grandson of John Butterfield, 
and was born Aug. 25, 1784. He was twice 
married; his first wife dying in 1812. He had 
one daughter, Sally, by his first wife. Sally 
was boi-n Feb. 1st, 1811, and died about 1890. 
J'lis second wife was Miss Roxcenia Smead, who 
was born Nov. 12, 1784. She was the mother 
of nine children ; Elihu, born iNov. 10, 1813 ; 
Benjamiii S., born Feb. 6, 1815; Hannah D., 
born Jan. 25, 1817; Roxcenia, born March 20, 
1820, and died in Illinois in 1898 ; Polly, born 
Sept. 13, 1821; Charles, born Jan. 26, 1823; 



was always in sympathy with the slaves, help- 
ing many to escape from their masters. He 
was known as an agent of the famous "under- 
ground railroad," an organized means of assist- 
ing fugitve slaves to escape to the free States of 
the Union, or to Canada, before the abolition 
of slavery. 

Benjamin S. Butterfield married July 2, 1837 
to Miss Mary Phillips, daughter of Aaron (b. 
May 12, 1790— d. June 9. 1838) and Susannah 
Sackett (b. Oct. 5, 1790— d. Feb. 13. 1862) 
Phillips. She was born March 23, 1820 and 
died Nov. 11, 1907. Mr. and Mrs. Butterfield 
were the jDarents of eleven children : 

3Iartha F., born March 1, 1838 and died 
•June 10, 1838; Adelia, bom .June 10, 1839 
and married June 10, 1858 to .John M. Weiss 
and died July 10, 1909; W. Norman, born 
April 4, 1841 and married Amelia Moss, and 
died Sept. 18, 1905 ; Agnes, born April ll, 1844 
and married March 1, 1862 to Cary Worden. 



114 



HISTORY OF NEWTON TOWNSHIP 



She died Aug. 16, 1911; Benjamin F., born 
March 25, 1847 and married Jennie Hohnes 
Oct. 11, 1876. He died May 29, 1905 ; Dudley 
L., born Sept. 6, 1850 and mai'ried Sarah Rich- 
ards Dec. 31, 1878. He died May 11, 1910; 
Zachary T., born Sept. 1, 1853 and died March 
22, 1858 ; Mondel F., born July 24, 1855 and 
married Sept. 1, 1883 to Nettie Everetts. They 
are living in Oneonta, N. Y. ; Mary L., born 
May 30, 1857 and died Oct. 10th the same year; 
John S., bom Nov. 2, 1859 and married Bertha 
S. Winters April 15, 1903 ; R. Grace, born May 
28, 1864 and married March 18, 1890 to John 
LaGrange. He died April 29, 1898. 

Mrs. Grace LaGrange has one daughter, Mary 
J., \yho was born Aug. 12, 1895, and is living 
with her mother in Schultzville. 

JOHN S. BUTTERFIELD 

Mr. Butterfield is a son of Benjamin S. and 
Mary Butterfield, and was born Nov. 2, 1859 in 
Schultzville. He was named after John B. 
Schultz, the founder of Schultzville. This vil- 
lage was established the year previous. 

John S. Butterfield was married April 15, 
1903 to Miss Bertha S. Winters, the only daugh- 
ter of Emanuel and Minnie (Ace) Winters. 
Mr. and Mrs. Butterfield are living in Schultz- 
ville on the farm formerly owned by his father. 

The Butterfields in War. 

The Butterfields are a family of soldiers, hav- 
ing a war re«ord. They have always been found 
ready and willing to march to the front to de- 
fend their country. 

Charles Butterfield (born Sept. 25, 1735) 
fought for this country in the Revolutionary 
War. 

Charles Butterfield, Jr. (born Aug. 25, 1784) 
was a soldier of the War of 1812. 

W. Norman Butterfield, (born April 4, 
1841) son of Benjamin S., was a soldier in the 
Civil War, enlisting Aug. 26, 1862 in Co. B, 
143d Reg. Pa. Vol. Pie was promoted from 
csrpoiral to lieutenant, in February, 1864, and 
transferred to the veteran reserve corps in 
March, 1865. He was also one of the guards 
over Lincoln's body. 

Benjamin F. Butterfield, (horn March 25, 
1847) son of Benjamin S., was a soldier in the 
Spanish- American War of 1898, serving ix:i the 
engineer corps. 

^ JUDSON J. CAHOON 

Mr. Cahoon is an old soldier, serving all 
through the Civil War except the first three 
months. He enlisted in August, 1861 as pri- 
vate in Co. K. 11th Pennsylvania cavalry, and 
served until the close of the war in April, 1865. 



He was a private scout during the last nine 
months of the war, which was a very dangerous 
position, and only three men in the regiment of 
1200 men were willing to volunteer to serve. 
These scouts were sent to find where the rebel 
soldiers were stationed, and many times it was 
necessary for them to go inside their "picket 
lines" where they could hear the roll call to 
find out how many "rebs" were lying near. 
These scouts were liable to be shot any moment 
and the majority never returned to camp. Mr. 
Cahoon related many hair-breadth escapes. 

Mr. Cahoon is the son of John and Eliza Ca- 
hoon, who were the parents of four children: 
Artemus, John, Judson and Charlotte. Only 
one, Judson, survives. 

Judson was married Dec. 14, 1870 to Miss 
Caroline McCloskey who died Jan. 31, 1902. 
He married his second wife, Mrs. Amanda 
(Smith) Ayers, widow of Jacob Ayers, May 6, 
1903. He was a butcher and ran a meat 
wagon for nearly twenty years. He retired from 
active life about ten years ago. 

WILLIAM L. CARPENTER 

Mr. Carpenter is a son of Porter and Rosetta 
Carpenter, and was born June 4, 1880 at Pitts- 
ton Junction. He attended school at Glendale, 
in Falls township, until twelve years of age. 
At sixteen he hired out by the month to Delbert 
Reed for six months, and three years to T. M. 
Roth. In the fall of 1899 he was employed 
by Charles Biesecker, working until Septem- 
ber, 1900, when he fell from the top of the 
silo to the concrete bottom, a distance of 26 
feet, breaking his left arm twice and three ribs. 
In 1902 he commenced driving milk wagon to 
Scranton for 0. D. Hollister, working five years. 
He drove an ice and coal wagon for fourteen 
months for the North End Ice and Coal Co., of 
Scranton. 

AVm. Carpenter was married Dec. 24, 1909, 
to Miss Myrtle Shotwell, daughter of William 
and Mar*ha (Edgerly) Shotwell. Miss Myrtle 
attended the high school at Old Forge until 
1905. 

William Shotwell was born in Wayne 
county, Sept. 11, 1851. Mrs. Shotwell was 
born Aug. 7, 1860 in Ulster county, N. Y. They 
were married Jan. 1, 1877, and had ten chil- 
dren, six of whom are now living. Two of the 
children died when but two days old. Loren, 
born March 29, 1879 and died Aug. 29, 1908; 
Bertha, born Jan. 22, 1882 and married Evan 
Pickrell and is now living at Old Forge; Ro- 
land, born April 12, 1888, and is a clerk in 
Old Forge; Myrtle, born Dec. 4, 1890, and is 
the wife of Wm. Carpenter; Pearl, bom Feb. 
12, 1893 and died Dec. 12, 1894; Olive, horn 
July 13, 1895; Wilfred, born Jan. 22, 1899; 



HISTORY OF NEWTO,N TOWNSHIP 



115 



Zida, born Aug. 26, 1905. 

Porter Carpenter is a son of Samuel and 
Minerva (Shaw) Carpenter, and was born near 
Factoryville, Jan. 11, 1842. 

Mrs. Rosetta Carpenter is a daughter of Sam- 
uel and Cynthea (Farnam) Shaw, and was 
born in Lemon, Jan. 4, 1855. 

Mr. and Mrs. Porter Carpenter are the par- 
ents of ten children, six of whom are living. 
Chester died when about seventeen years of age ; 
John married Miss Carrie Swartz and is in Mill 
City; William, the subject of this sketch; Wal- 



ment in the Union army, Sept. 1, 1864, serving 
in Company H, 52nd Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Infantry. He joined his regiment at Morris 
Island, South Carolina, where it was doing gar- 
rison duty on the Island. One morning in Janu- 
ary, 1865, at about four o'clock, Mr. CoUum 
was on duty at Fort Gregg, when he saw some- 
thing on the opposite side of the channel, slowly 
moving Hk« a fog. Finally he discovered it 
was a blockade runner moving in the direction 
of Charleston, S. C. Calling for help and none 
responding he decided to load and fire a 10-inch 




This Property For Sale. 



RESIDENCE OF ANDREW S. COLLUM 
The Postoffice or Main Part, Built in 1S48 by Chauncey Sherwood 



ter married Miss Nellie Piatt and is living in 
Falls township; Daisy and Dicky were twins, 
and both are dead; Grace married Wm. De- 
vaugh and is hving in Hancock, N. Y. ; Ger- 
trude graduated from the Factoryville High 
School, June 2, 1911; Earl, born July 8, 1895. 

AJ^DREW S. COLLUM 

Mr. Collum was born July 24, 1843 in New- 
ton township. He is a son of Henry R. and 
Hetty (Skellenger) Collum, and a grandson of 
Jesse Collum. 

A. S. Collum spent his boyhood days work- 
ing at farming, carpentering, blacksmithing, 
machinist and boiler making, until his enlist- 



Columbian cannon with a solid shot. This he 
did to good effect, striking a large side-wheel 
steamer directly through the wheels, sinking it 
with the first shot. Captain John B. Fish and 
other commanding officers of his company, who 
were nearly three miles below, came in haste to 
see what was going on. They were well pleased 
with the execution of the shot. Afterward, 
Mr. Collum was upon the wrecked vessel and 
found it loaded with cotton. 

About six weeks later Charleston was evacu- 
ated by the Confederates. The 52nd Regiment, 
Pennsylvania Infantry were the first Union 
troops to enter the city, and Mr. Collum was one 
of the first eight men to enter Fort Sumter after 



116 



HISTORY OF NEWTO,N TOWNSHIP 



the sui-reuder of Charlestou. Mr. CoUum was 
accidentally wounded at Mount Pleasant, S. C, 
by the bursting of a requa battery. He nar- 
rowly escaped fatal injuries and for a time was 
under surgical treatment. He was honorably 
discharged June 23, 1865 at Salisbury, N. C, 
where he was stationed at the time of General 
Lee's surrender. 

Mr. Gollum returned at once to his home in 
Newton township. Here he worked at both 
carpentering and farming until his marriage, 
March 3, 1866, to Miss Eliza Follett, an adopted 
daughter of Matthew Sherwood. Mr. and Mrs. 
CoUum's two children, Matthew H. and Aman-; 
da E., died in infancy. Afterwards they brought 
up Bessie May Evans. She married Berton 
Talloh. 

After he was married, Mr., Collum moved to 
Falls. Here he was engaged in the mercantile 
business for a year and a half, after which he 
resumed carpentering. Later he purchased a 
farm, and in connection with agricultural pur- 
suits, he operated a planing mill, cider arid shin- 
gle mill for seven years, In the fall of 1881, 
he became a resident of Factoryville where he 
successfully conducted a general merchandise 
Ijusiness until 1887. 

Politically, Mr. Collum is identified with the 
Pci:)ublican, party. He served two terms as 
Justice-of-the-Peace in Overfield and Clinton 
townships, Wyoming county; was school direc- 
tor in Overfield for three ' years, ; town clerk in 
Clinton and Overfield townships ; supervisor one 
year ; township auditor nine years and served on 
the election board nine years. 

Mr'. CoUuni is' a member of Mill City Lodge 
No. 890, I. 0. 0. F., having passed all the 
chairs. He, is a thirty- two degree Mason, and 
has served three years as Secretary of Factory- 
ville Lodge No. 341, F. & A. M- 

March" 6, 1905, Mr. Collum was appointed 
postmaster at Bald Mount (Newton Centre) tak- 
ing possession of the office April 1st the same 
year, Avhich he still holds. 

Mr. and Mrs. Collum are both members of 
the Bald Mount M. E. church, of which Mr. 
Collum is one of the trustees. He is also re- 
cording steward for Bald Mount charge, which 
includes three churches: Bald Mount, Schultz- 
ville, and Milwaukie. 

Henry R. Collum, a son of Jesse and Anna 
(Roloson) Collum, was born March 11, 1810 in 
Wantage township, Sussex county, New Jersey, 
and died March 29, 1873 in Newton township. 
He learned the carpenter's trade, which occupa- 
tion he followed for many years. He was the 
inventor of the "square rule" system of framing 
buildings, now used by all carpenters through- 
out the land. Before this time the "scribe 
rule" or fit-and-try system was used. In 1838 



he moved to Newton township, moving in a log- 
house on the Mittan place (now owned by Mrs. 
Gertrude Biesecker). The same year he began 
building a log-house on his own farm which he 
finished in 1839. This building is still stand- 
ing and is owned by Gould Whitlock. Here 
Mr. Collum worked at his trade for a time, and 
later devoted his time to farming until his 
death. He was married in Sussex county, New 
Jersey, Jan. 24, 1835 to Miss Hettie, daughter 
of James and Elizabeth (Ayers) Skellenger. 
(Mrs. Skellenger was born July 21, 1791). 
They became' the JDarents of five children: (1) 
Phoebe A. (Mrs. Lewis B. Ayers), born July 
6, 1836. She is .living in New.ton. (2) Wil- 
liam H., born Sept; 8, 1837. He was killed in 
a well in Newtoii township,, Sept. 20, 1895. (3) 
Andrew S. (our subject), born .Tuly 24, 1843. 

(4) Sarah E., born in 1846 and died in 1870. 

(5) Amos H., born July/27, 1854 and died 
three years later. 

Jesse Collum, a son of Williaiif a^iid Cather- 
ine (Ayers) Collum, was born March 13, 1786 
in Ironia, Morris county, , New Jersey, At. an 
early age he moved to Wantage township, Sus- 
sex county. New .Jersey. , , Later he moved to 
Wayne county, Pa., where he worked at .shpe- 
making and farming. Lie died near I)Amdee, 
Yates county, N. Y.," June 29, 1877. He mar- 
ried Miss Anna Roloson Nov. 28, 1807. She 
was born March 1, 1789 and died May 21, 1852. 
They had fourteen children, of whom two are 
living: Mrs. Elizabeth Roloson, born Feb'. 26, 
1815, and is living in Newton Centre,, Mrs. Ju- 
lia Avers of Snedekerville, Bradford count}'', 
born Oct. 31, 1826. Mr. Collum married Ann 
Mullana for his second wife, by whom he .had 
six children, of whom four are living near New 
York City. 

William Collum, borri near Ironia, Morris 
county, New Jersey, and and died at Zanesville, 
Ohio, in 1824. He married Miss Catherine 
Ayers of Morris coimty, New Jersey. She was 
born in Morris county. New Jersey, and died 
in Zanesville, Ohio, surviving her husband a 
few years. They had nine children, .six boys 
and three .girls, namely: Jesse, .Jacob, Peter, 
Richard, David, William, Hannah, Elizabeth 
and Sally. Hannah married John Morgan, 
and lived near Seneca Lake, New York. Mor- 
gan was called from bed one night and was 
never seen by his friends again. Jt is said he 
was killed by the Masons for exposing the se- 
crets of the order. After Morgan's death she 
married Levy Smith. The other two girls went 
to Ohio. 

William Collum was a soldier in the Revolu- 
tionary War, being a member of Captain Bon- 
nel's company of New Jersey troops. He serv- 
ed from June 17, 1781 to about Dec. 15, 1782. 



HISTORY OF NEWTO,N TOWNSHIP 



117 



JUDSON C. AND GILES N. COMSTOOK 

are sons of Zel^ulon, Jr. and Hila Comstock, and 
grandsons of Zebulon, Sr. one of the pioneer 
'settlerp of Newton township. 

Giles N. was born in Exeter townshijD, Lu- 
zerne county, March 9, 1846. His father died 
(June 12, 1846) about three months after 
Giles birth, and about two years later his 
mother married Llenry Walter and moved to 
Newton on the farm now owned by Chas. H. 
Koerner. The five 'brothers ,fous;ht for the 



Soldier's Home in Johnson City, Tenn., having 
served in the Navy during the war. Lie rail 
away from home when a small boy and went 
on a whaling vessel. He had been a lifelong 
sailor until he Avent to the Home about 1890. 
Elbridge was born in iNewton township, May 8, 
1840 and died about 1906 in Missouri. Zsenalh 
was born Feb. 27, 1842 and died about 1902. 
Harriet was born Oct. 25, 1843 and is the wife 
of Thomas Fitzgerald and lives at 720 Tunk- 
hannock Ave., West Pittston. 




RESIDENCE OF GEORGE LEVI COON 



Union in the Civil War. Giles and Judson 
enlisted Feb. 29, 1864 in 11th Pa. Calvary at 
Scran ton, and served until mustered out, Aug. 
13, 1865. Giles also enlisted April 11, 1872 
in the U. S. Army and served in the 4th U. S. 
Calvary for five years, and fought several bat- 
tles against the Indians through the Northwest. 
Kingsley was the only one of the five brothers 
who ever married. 

Zebuloi^ Comstock, Jr. was born May 14, 
1808, near Forty Fort, and his wife, Aszeniath 
Crossier, was bom in New Jersey, July 1, 1811 
and died Jan. 9, 1884. Their oldest son, Kings- 
ley, was born Aug. 12, 1833, and was killed in 
the army, June 14, 1862. Judson C. was born 
in Carbondale, Nov. 23, 1836. Raymond, born 
in Newton township, Feb. 8, 1838, and is at the 



GEORGE LEVI COON 

George Levi Coon was born in Brenchville, 
Ya., Sept. 22nd, 1858, and when three years old 
came to Newton townshii^ with his grandfather, 
David Cosner, who had been South on a visit. 
George Levi Coon is a son of John (born Jan. 
20th, 1830— died Jan. 12th, 1906) and Ros- 
anna (Cosner) Coon. Rosanna (Cosner) Coon 
having died in Virginia in 1861. 

George Levi Coon attended school in Newton 
until nineteen years of age, when he attended 
Keystone Academy. He was married Jan. 25, 
1883 to Miss Margaret Smith of Falls, Pa., the 
oldest daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Shel- 
ley) Smith. After his marriage he remained 
on the home farm with his father until his 
father's death, when he came in possession of 



118 



HISTORY OF NEWTON TOWNSHIP 



the old homestead, part of which has been iu 
the Coon family for four generations. Joseph 
('oon_, greatgrandfather of George Levi, settled 
here in 1816, and built a log house about twenty 
rods southeast of the present residence. 

Mr. and Mrs. Coon have two sons and two 
daughters: Joseph, born June 7, 1886, is a 
chemist, living in Brooklyn, N. Y. Oscar was 
born Oct. '26, 1890; Bessie, born Feb. 7, 1893 
and Winnifred, born March 13, 1898. 

Mv. Coon is a progressive farmer, keeping 
from fifteen to twenty cows, and raises a large 
quantity of cabbage and sweet corn, which he 
sells to Scranton dealers. Some yeai's he sells 
nearly sixty tons of hay. His buildings and 
farm are kept in first-class condition. " j\Ir. 
Coon has one sister, Amy, who married Rev. H. 
G. Harned, Agent for American Bible Society, 
and lives in Scranton. Her first husband, A. 
C. Lewis, died Sept. 5, 1885. 

John Coon moved to Virginia in the Spring 
of 1853. Here he lived for nine years, until 
the war broke out, and not being willing to 
join the Confederate Army he returned to New- 
ton township in the fall 'of 1862. About two 
years later he purchased the farm in Ransom 
township, now owned by Geo. C. Coon, where 
he lived for three years. He then traded for 
the farm near Newton Centre. Here he lived 
until his death. His son, Geo. Levi Coon, now 
occupies the farm. 

John Coon's first wife died in Virginia, and 
in 1866 he married Miss Angeline Fassett of 
Scottsville, Wyoming county, who is now living 
will) her stepson, George Levi. 

John Coon was the son of Samuel, and grand- 
son of Joseph Coon, who was one of the pioneer 
settlers of Newton. John Coon was a member 
of the Baptist church. 

EVERETT GRANT COON 

Everett G. Coon was born February 1. 1865 
on the farm now owned by his brother, Ga- 
lusha A. He attended the Shook School un- 
til about eighteen years of age when he entered 
the Keystone Academy. Later he taught one 
term of school in Lemon township, Wyoming 
county. He then returned home, living witla 
his father and working the farm until married, 
June 4, 1896, to Miss Minnie Lasher. She was 
a daughter of Arnold (b. June 6, 1830 — died 
April 28, 1903) and Margaret (VanWliy) 
Lasher. Mrs. Lasher was boni March 17, 1831 
and is living in Falls township, hale and hearty 
at the age of eighty years. 

Mrs. Coon, the wife of our subject, was born 
Dec. 25, 1871 and died Dec. 20, 1909, leaving 
five small children, namelv: Inez M., born Aiir' 
25, 1897: Edith V., born 'Nov. 14, 1898: Eliza 
H., born May 17, 1902; Marjory, born June 2, 



1905; and Genevieve, born May 28, 1909. 

Mr. Coon is a son of Levi and Eliza (Hop- 
kins) Coon and a greatgrandson of Joseph 
Coon, one of the pioneer" settlers of Newton 
township. 

Levi Coon was born June 29, 1834 on the 
old homestead where George Levi Coon now 
lives, near Newton Centre, and died April 26, 
1902. He was married Aug. 30, 1862 to Miss 
Eliza Hopkins, who was born Nov. 23, 1831 in 
Newton township and died April 22, 1904. She 
was a daughter of Solomon (b. Feb. 8, 1808 — 
d. Aug. 15, 1884) and Maria (Storrs) Hopkins. 
(Mrs. Hopkins b. Jan. 7, 1808— d. May 26, 
1870). To them three children were born, 
namely: (1) Everett G., our subject. (2) 
Galusha A., born Sept. 19, 1868 and was mar- 
ried to Miss Minnie Fenstermaker, Avho was 
born April 9, 1873. They are the parents of 
three children: Raymond G., born March 17. 
1899; Laura G., born Oct. 11, 1900, and Har- 
old A., born October 7, 1910. (3) Eva M., 
born September 15, 1873, and was married 
December 30, 1896 to William H. .Newman, M. 
D. of Newton Centre, and died Jan. 11, 1903. 

CHARLES F. CORNELL 

Chas. Cornell was born Feb. 28, 1858 in 
Wyoming county and came to Newton with his 
father when six j^ears old. He is a son of Wil- 
liam Cornell, who was born in Kent countv. 
R. I., August 10, 1820. In 1847 he married 
Miss Mary Capwell. He died Dec. 10, 1905. 
His widow is living with her son Charles, on the 
old farm, aged 87 years. Part of the old log 
house that was built by Mr. Fillo, over niuty 
years ago, and where Mr. Cornell lived for sev- 
eral years is still .standing. 

Charles F. Cornell has a common school edu- 
cation. He has always lived on the farm with 
his parents, except about five years while work- 
ing in Scranton. He never married. 

FRIEND HOLLISTER COOPER 

F. H. Cooper was bom in Newton, July 14, 
1855. He is the only child of John and Cath- 
erine (Biesecker) Cooper. 

Friend H. Cooper attended school at Newton 
Centre until eleven years old, when he went to 
Scranton with his parents. Here he attended 
the graded school until twenty years old, when 
his parents returned to Newton. He was mar- 
ried Jan. 1, 1880 to Miss Hattie Vanderburg, 
daughter of James (b. in New York, Sept. 17, 
1810— d. Jan. 7, 1892) and Mary (Kern) 
Vanderburg. She was ,born in New Jersey, 
March 19, 1817 and died in Falls township, 
July 19, 1888. She was the daughter of Henry 
and Annie (Linabury) Kern. 



HISTORY OF NEWTON TOWNSHIP 



119 



Mrs. F. H. Cooper was bom Aug. 10, 1854, 
being one of a family of twelve children, four 
bojrs and eight girls: — Elizabeth, Henrj'^, Lot- 
tie, William, Nellie, George, Lyman, Jane, Hat- 
tie, Fidelia, Louise and Annie. All are living 
except Elizabeth, Nellie and Jane. 

F. H. Cooper learned the wagon making 
trade, and conducted a shop in Newton Centre 
for several years. Since 1903 he has been work- 
ing at his trade in Milwaukie. 

Mr. and Mrs. Cooper have four children : — 
Katie E., born Jan. 25, 1882, and married Nov. 
28, 1900 to Alfred Speed, and are living in Os- 
wego, N. Y. They have one son, Mason, born 
Feb. 18, 1906, and a daughter, Kathryn, born 



ner, and a grandson of Lewis and Rachel Cos- 
ner who were among the first settles of New- 
ton. They came from Sussex county, New 
Jersey. 

Mr. Cosner lived with his father until twenty- 
six years old. Then he spent fifteen years in 
the West and Florida. January 9, 1890 he 
was married to Emma Reed, who died Decem- 
ber 29, 1898. In April, 1891 he moved to the 
farm where he now lives. ITe was married to 
Jlis,^ Lillian Bennett, November 21,-1899. 

]Mr. Cosner has two sons, Llarry L., who is a 
plumber and is living in Mill City. Lewis, Jr., 
lives with his father. 




THE LATE DAVID COSNER AND WIFE 



Oct. 27, 1901. Katherine died lAIar. 7, 1902. 

J. Clinton was born May 17, 1883 and is liv- 
ing in Scran ton. 

Ruth E., a stenographer in Oswego, was born 
July 16th, 1889. 

Frank E., a carpenter in Pittston, was born 
June 25th, 1893. 

John Cooper was born in Northampton 
county, Dec. 4, 1828, and came to Newton with 
James Lesh in the Spring of 1842, when he 
was thirteen years of age, walking the entire dis- 
tance, driving a cow. Mr. Lesh established a 
wagon shop in Newton Centre, where Mr. Coo- 
per learned the trade, and in 1852 he establish- 
ed a shop in the same town, which he conducted 
for several years. The same year he was elected 
constable. 

LEWIS COSNER 

Lewis Cosner is a son of David (b. Sept. 11, 
1813— d. May 4, 1899) and Amy (Hice) Cos- 



SELDON SCRANTON COSNER 

;\Ir. Cosner is the youngest son of David and 
Amy (Hice) Cosner. He was born Jan. 22, 
1853, on the old homestead purchased by his 
grandfather, Lewis Cosner, in 1816, which has 
since been in the Cosner family. Mr. Cosner 
has the State patent or deed, received by his 
grandfather from the State. ,It is i^a-itten'on a, 
sheep skin, 13yox2iy2 inches. 

Seldon Cosner was married April 30, 1876 to 
Miss Martha L. Reed, daughter of Moses and 
Sarah (Ross) Reed, and a sister of Lewis Cos- 
ner's first wife. Mrs. Cosner was born Oct. 30, 
1852. Mr. and Mrs. Cosner have a family of 
four children, two sons and two daughters :'( 1 ) 
Amy M., born April 6, 1877, and married 
Harry B. Ackerly of Clark's Green. They have 
two daughters, Aileen and Luree (2) Arthur, 
born Dec. 22, 1881, and is living at home. (3) 
Howard, born June 22, 1884, and was married 
June 29, 1904 to Miss Maud E. Lacoe. (4) 



120 



HISTORY OF NEWTO.N TOWNSHIP 



Edna R., bom March 23, 1892, and is living 
with her parents. 

Arthur Conner attended the Cosner School 
until seventeen yeai"s of age, when he entered 
the Keystone Academy, at Factoryville, where 
he remained for one year, after Avhich he took 
a l)ookkee]iing course at the Scranton Business 
College. He is now working part of his fa- 
ther's farm. 

David Cosner, born Sept. ll 1813 and died 
May 4, 1899. His wife. ]Miss Amv Hice, was 
born .Tuly 1, 1816 and died Nov. 6, 187(3. She. 
was a member of the Methodist church for 
many years. To them six children were born. 



Sarah C. Hadsell. She was born Sept. 17, 1825 
and died Feb. 28, 1894. 

David Cosner was honest and upriglit in all 
dealings. Pie took great pride in keeping his 
buildings and fences in first-class repair. He 
was a lover of fine horses, and brought the first 
pair of percheon horses into Lackawanna 
county, which he purchased from W. T. Wa- 
ters of Baltimore, Md., for $1,500, in the Spring 
of 1879. He was industrious and saving, and- 
at the time of his death owned 457 acres of 
land and about $8,000 in money. He was the 
fii'st president of the Scranton and Newton 
Turnpike Company. 




'SMteaii*'". ^«*-wf«-»! 



CHARI.B.S V. DECKER'S RESIDENCE AND FARM 



three sons and three daughters, namely: (1) 
Ivosanna, the oldest, married .John Coon. She 
moved to ~\''irginia with her husband where their 
two children were born : Amy, who is now the 
wife of Rev. H. G. Harned of Scranton, and 
George Levi Coon, who is living on the Coon 
homestead near Newton Centre. (2) Lydia, 
married Thomas Spencer. She died in May, 
1879, and is survived by one son, Arthur Spen- 
cer, who is living in Moscow. (3) Ira was born 
in 1842 and died April 3, 1910. In 1861, he 
enlisted and served over three years in the 
army. (4) Lewis was born Nov. 15, 1849 and 
is living in Newton. (5) Seldon S. and (6) 
Sehna LI. were tAA'ius, born Jan. 22, 1853. Sel- 
nja died May 13, 1872, aged 18 years, 3 months 
and 21 days. 

After the death of his first wife, David Cos- 
ner lived with his sou, Seldon, for about four 
years, till the fall of 1880, when he married 



S. Howard Cosner 

Seldon Howard Cosner is the son of Seldon 
S. and Martha (Reed) Cosner. Lie was born 
June 22, 1884 on the farm now owned by his 
uncle, Lewis Cosner. Lie attended school at 
the Cosner school house until sixteen years old, 
then attended the graded school at Clark's 
Green for one term. When seventeen years of 
age he took a course in bookkeeping at the 
Scranton Business College. He was married 
June 29, 1904 to Miss Maud E. Lacoe, the old- 
est daughter of Chas. E. and Huldah (Rosen- 
krans) "Lacoe. They moved to Scranton Jan. 
9, 1905, where Mr. Cosner was employed by the 
National Casket Company as a casket trinuner. 
May 10, 1906, he returned to the old homestead 
in Newton township, settled by Lewis Cosner in 
1816. 

]Mr. Cosner raises and sells from 500 to 700 
bushels of buckwheat and about 500 bushels oi; 



HISTORY OF NEWTON TOWNSHIP 



121 



rye every year. Mr. and Mrs. Cosner have 
four sons: — Kermit Quintin, Charles Seldon, 
Arthur David, and Oarl William. 

I.RA DRAKE 

Mr. Drake is a son of Lewis (b. 1826 — d. 
1888) and Amanda (Rosenkrans) Drake. Mrs. 
Amanda Drake, born in Newton and a daugh- 
ter of Levi and Rebecca (William) Rosenkrans, 
who were born in New Jersey. 

Ira Drake was born in Ransom, May 13, 1852,, 
and was married Dec. 15, 1872 to Miss Mary 
A., daughter of Mathias and Elizabeth (Ace) 



in JMr. Drake's tenant house ; Myrtle, born Aug. 
20, 1884 and was married Nov. 1, 1904 to Lewis 
Sherman of Schultzville. They have one son, 
Leo, born Feb. 10, 1908; Lewis, born Jan. 31, 
1880 and died Jan. 28, 1893. 

Jacob L. and Mary (Demond) Drake, grand- 
jjarents of our subject, were born in Sussex 
county. New Jersey and came to Ransom town- 
.«hip about 1834 and settled on the farm now 
owned by Mr. John Beyrent near Milwaukie. 
Mary Drake was a daughter of Joseph Demond. 

Mathias Blackwell, born May 3, 1817 and 
died Sept. 14, 1895, and was married Aug. 24, 




MR AND MRS. IRA DRAKE AND THEIR RESIDENCE 



Blackwell of Milwaukie. She was born in White 
Haven, May 24, 1850. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ira Drake are the parents of 
five children, namely: Jennings L., born July 
5, 1873 in Ransom and was married to Miss 
Dean, daughter of Aaron Lasher, and have one 
son, Ira A., born July 4, 1900. They are liv- 
ing in Bald Mount; Alice, born July 15, 1874 
and married Cyrus Bogert, son of Albert and 
Schelsha (Decker) Bogert, and have one daugh- 
ter, Lucretia, born April 4, 1895. They are 
living in Pittston ; Bessie, born March 27, 1883 
and was married Sept. 30, 1903 to Philip Win- 
ters, .son of Samuel and Kate (Barrier) Wint- 
ers. They have three children and are living 



1847 to Miss Elizabeth Ace, who was born 
April 3, 1822 iu Monroe county and died Jan. 
6, 1907. She was a daughter of Jacob and 
Elizabeth (Walter) Ace. 

Jacob Ace was born Sept. 1, 1796 and died 
May 5, 1870 and his wife, Elizabeth, was born 
Oct 30, 1801 and died Feb. 16, 1884. They 
were married Marcli 15, 1821 and had eleven 
children. 

CHARLES V. DECKER. 

Mr. Decker is the oldest sou of Oliver and 
Mary (Van Campen) Decker. He moved with 
his father from New Jersey to Newton when 
fourteen years old. Pie attended Keystone Aca- 



122 



HISTORY OF NEWTON TOWNSHIP 



demy two years. He began teaching school in 
1874 in Falls township, and in 1875 taught in 
Ransom township. In the spring of 1876 he 
went to Kansas where he taught one term, re- 
turning to Newton in 1877, and in the fall of 
1878 he went to Pike county, where he taught 
one term. He was married Jan. 15, 1880 to 
Miss Margaret, daughter of Wenzel and Kath- 
erine (Zeiss) Klipple who came from Germany 
hi 1848. 

Mr. Decker purcha.sed the farm where he 
now resides of George Richards in 1889. In 
1894 he was elected school director, which office 
he held for twelve years, being secretary of the 
board for seven years and treasurer for two 
vcars. In 1909 he was elected tax collector. 



Elizabeth (Post) Dunlap. In 1862 he married 
Mi.ss Elizabeth, daughter of Benjamin Hunter 
of Orange county, N. Y. She was born May 
4, 184;! and died Oct. 13, 1894 in South Abing- 
ton. Mr. and Mrs. Dunlap had nine children, 
namely: (1) Eva, living with her father. (2) 
Edgar, the .subject of this sketch. (3) Minnie, 
married Thomas VanKirk. They live in Oly- 
phant, and have six children: Eva, Grace, May, 
Hazle, Foster and Ethel. (4) Rose, married 
George Ackerly. They live in Sheridan, Wyo., 
and have three childx'en : Bessie, Allen and Plar- 
old. (o) William, died about 1897. (6) Ida, 
married Frank Slate. They live in Newton and 
have one daughter, Naomi. (7) Charles, mar- 
ried ^laud Davies. Thev live in Clarks Sum- 




EDGAR B. DUNLAP'S RESIDENCE 



EDGAR B. DUNLAP 

Mr. Dunlap, born Aug. 4, 1864 in Falls town- 
ship, Wyoming county; a son of A. Perrington 
and Amanda (Hunter) Dunlap. Mr. Dunlap 
was born and reared on a farm, which occupa- 
tion he has always followed. He attended the 
Scludtzville and Fire Proof schools. He was 
married Sept. 2, 1891 to Miss Enniia R., daugh- 
ter of Abner and Cordelia (Garrison) Alger of 
South Abington township. I\Ir. and Mrs. Dun- 
laji have two sons: Earl A., born June 26, 1893 
and F. Howard, born March 5, 1907. 

Mr. and Mrs. Dunlap have lived in South 
Abington township since their marriage vmtil 
they moved to their present home, Feb 15, 1912. 

A. Perrington Dunlap, born Feb. 10, 1843, 
in Falls township. He is a son of William and 



mit, and have two children : Helen and Arthur. 

(8) Jesse, married Charles VanAken. They 
live near Walton, N. Y., and have one son, Lee. 

(9) Susan, died in 1892, aged eight years and 
eleven months. 

Mr. Dunlap ran a canal-boat in 1864 from 
Falls to Elmira. About 1866 he kept hotel in 
the building now owned by A. S. Collum at 
Bald Mount. He purchased the farni in New- 
ton township where he now resides in 1898.- 

Abner Alger, father of Mrs. E. B. Dunlap, 
was born Aug. 31, 1828 in Providence and died 
Dec. 15, 1895 on the old homestead in South 
Abington, which is now owned by his two sons, 
Chester and George. He is a son of Per.¥erved 
and Sabrina (Southworth) Alger. Mr. Alger 
was married in October, 1863 to Miss Cordelia, 



HISTORY OF NEWTO,N TOWNSHIP 



123 



daughter of Eder and Sarah (Griffin) Garri- 
son of Newton. Mrs. Alger was born January 
2, 1837 in Providence. She is now living with 
her youngest daughter, Nellie, in Clarks Sum- 
mit. Mr. and Mrs. Alger had four children, 
namely: (1) Emma, married E. B. Dunlap; 
(2) Chester, married Mis.s Emma Keller and 
lives on the old homestead in South Abington. 
(?>) George, married Miss Emma Plunter and 
resides at Clarks Summit. (4) iNellie, also liv- 
ing at Clarks Summit. 

Pbrserved Alger was born Aug. 30, 1802 
in Massachusetts and when a small boy came 
with his parents to Cooperstown, N. Y. He 
was a tanner Ijy trade. He married Miss Sa- 
brina Southworth. Her mother was a Butter- 
field, who came from '\^ermont. Perserved Al- 
ger died in April, 1882. 



Lewis D. Garrison obtained a common school 
education, and has always lived on a farm, ex- 
cepting about five years when living in Scran- 
ton. 

Mr. and Mrs. Garrison have two children liv- 
ing, Cora and Albert. Two other children 
died in infancy, namely: Gertie E., born Feb. 
10, 1879 and died from accidental death June 
3, 1882; Edna A., born May 13, 1884, died 
Aug. 25th, the same year. 

Cora M'as married Aug. 21, 1901, to Isaac 
Ayers. They separated April 8, 1907, and she 
returned to her father's home with her two small 
children, namely: Violet and Ada. 

Mrs. Garrison is the youngest daughter of 
William and Mary (White) LaRue, who were 
the parents of four children : Olive, Myron N., 



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LEWIS D. GARRISON'S RESIDENCE 



LEWIS D. GARRISON 

Mr. Garrison is the son of Eder (b. Feb. 9, 
1814— d. Sept. 26, 1898) and Sarah (Griffin) 
Garrison (b. Oct. 18, 1812— d. Jan. 11, 1888) 
who were married Feb. 11, 1835, aird w^ere the 
l»arents of seven children: Cordeha, born Jan. 
2, 1836, married Abner Alger and lives at 
Clark's Summit; William, born Feb. 4, 1838 
and is living in Newton township ; George, born 
Aug. 8, 1839 and died May 15, 1899; Lewis 
born Sept. 16, 1841 and married Miss Violet 
LaRue Aug. 11, 1877: Thomas, born Nov. 3, 
1844, married David Smith and is living m 
Newton township; Ruth Ann, born Aug. 27, 
1846, married Laten Rosenkrans and li,ves in 
Newton township; John A., born Dec. 30, 1848 
and died Sept. 4, 1852. 



Violet A. and George W. Mr. LaRue. also had 
five children by his first wife, namely: Mary J., 
Lydia, Amanda, Sarah E. and Joseph. Sarah 
died about 1891; Joseph died in the army and 
Lydia died May 5, 1902. 

Mrs. Mary LaRue died in December, 1860 
and her husband died Jan. 2, 1862. 

Eder Garrison came from York State to Ra- 
zorville (now Providence) in 1835, and about 
one year later moved to Newton on the farm 
now owned by George Reed near Summit Lake, 
where he built a log house and cleared the 
farm. In 1866 he moved to the farm where 
his son, Lewis, now lives. Here he died. He 
was a blacksmith by trade, 



124 



HISTORY or NEWTOiN TOWNSHIP 



WILLIAM GARRISON 

Mr. Garrison is the oldest son of Eder (1812- 
1896) and Sarah (1809-1887) (Griffin) Gar- 
rison, who came to Newton from Providence, 
near Seranlon, in the sprin.tj,' of 1839. He pur- 
chased 57 acres from Elias lloyt of "Wilkes-Bar- 
re. This land is now owned by Geo. Reed, 
near Summit Lake (Mud Pond). The land 
was co^•ered with woods, which was cleared by 
Mr. Garrison, and he built a lo^' house. He 
had a family of seven children : Mrs. Cordelia 
Alger, William, George, Lewis, Mrs. Thena 
Smith, Mrs. Ruth Rosenkrans, and John who 



teen yeai's of age, when he came to Newton, 
about 1861, and worked eight months for James 
Decker. He continued working by the month 
until married Aug. 22, 1865, to Miss Mary A. 
ITowey, daughter of Peter and ]\hu-garet (Hari- 
nas) Howey. She was born in Monroe countv, 
March 18, 1845. Mr. and Mrs. Harlos had .-ix 
children: George, Floyd and Minnie died in 
youth. Annie E. married Peter Sonsky and 
are living in Glenburn ; Christina is living with 
her father; William E. is living in Falls town- 
ship. 

Philip Harlos purchased a farm near Ford's 




RESIDENCE OF PHILIP HARLOS 



.died when about four jea,vs old. George died 
in 1898. 

Wm. Garrison attended school until fourteen 
years old, which completed his school days ex- 
cept one term when 20 years of age. In 1864 
he went to Illinois for a short time. In 1873 
he purchased the home where he now lives. 
He was elected road supervisor for one term. 

PHILIP HARLOS 

Mr. Harlos Avas born in Ransfinr township, 
near Mountain A'alley, March 11, 1848, on the 
farm settled by his father, Philip Harlos, Sr., 
about 1846. 

Philip Harlos lived with his father until fif- 



Lake, about the time he was married. Tlie 
farm A\'as then a wilderness with only a foot 
path. (This farm is now owned by Peter Sons- 
key). In 1902 he purchased a part of the old 
tannery farm, containing the fine residence 
where A. B. McKinstry lived. Mr. Harlos and 
his daughter are living in this residence at the 
present time. 

The first part of this residence was built in 
1858 by John B. Schnltz. About 1880 it was 
remodeled and enlarged by A. B. McKinstrv, 
at a cost of over $4,000. It is 48x58 feet, con- 
taining thirteen large rooms and three large 
halls. ' Mr. McKinstry died in the fall of 1881, 
only a short time after his beautiful home was 



IILSTORY OF NEWTOiN TOWNSHIP 



125 



Ihiished. 

Mrs. Ilarlus died Uay 20, 1906, and is buried 
in iNewton cemetery. 

Philip Harlos, Sr. was born in Germany 
and came to this country about 1838, settling 
in Ransom, where he kept a shoe shoiD for about 
eight years before he moved on the farm. He 
was married to Christena Miller, daughter of 
Geo. Miller, a local preacher of Monroe county, 
about 1840. They had ten children: George, 
Jacob, Philip, Elizabeth, John, Samuel, Wil- 
liam, Charlie, Henry and Annie. Only five 
are living, Samuel, Philip, William, Henry and 
Elizabeth. 



Clarence W., born Oct. 6, 1900. Mrs. Wilda 
Hice died Sept. 12, 1908. 

Mr. Plice married his second wife, Winifred 
Swartz, Oct. 19, 1909. She was born July 2, 
1881, and is a daughter of William P. and Cyn- 
thia (Sickler) Swartz. She (Mrs. Hice) was 
married June 29, 1896 to Edmond Swartz, (her 
first husband) by whom four children were 
born, namely: Alfred E., Rexford C, Cynthia 
Carolj'n and Edmond F. 

Mr. Hice was elected assessor in Feljruary, 
1907 and re-elected in. 1910. He was auditor 
for twelve years. 

John Hice was born Aug. 21, 1825 and died 




'^^^M^c- 



WILLIAM A. HICE AND HIS RESIDENCE 



WILLIAM A. HICE 

AV. A. Hice (born in Newton, Sept. 2, 1865), 
is the only sou of John and Dorcas P. (Corse- 
lius) Hice and a grandson of Henry and Edith 
(Sharps) Hice, who were the parents of eleven 
children, five boys and six girls. He was a 
fanner and lived near Forty Fort, where John 
was born. Henry Hiee's father was born in 
Germany. 

William A. Hice was married Oct. 3, 1888 
to Miss Wilda J. Kern (b. Sept. 5, 1867), 
daughter of William A. and Roanna (Rosen- 
krans) Kern. To this union two sons were 
born : — Burson J., born June 13, 1896 and 



Jan. 20, 1907, aged 81 years. His first wife was 
Dorcas P. Corselius, daughter of Peter Corse- 
lius, one of the pioneer settlers of Newton. They 
were married Jan. 23, 1851, having a family of 
three children : — Viola, born Mav 29, 1852 and 
died June, 23, 1853. Mattie,"born Oct. 22, 
1854 and died April 14, 1862 after much suffer- 
ing as the result of an accident at school; and 
William A., the subject of this sketch. An 
adopted daughter, Annie, was born Dec. , 18, 
1859 and died April 18, 1882, only sixteen days 
after her foster mother's death. 

Mrs. Hice was born iVpril 16, 1831 and died 
April 2, 1882. Mr. tlice was married again, 



126 



HISTORY OF NEWTOiN TOWNSHIP 



May 2, 1883 to Mrs. Roanna (Rosenkrans) 
Kern, widow of William A. Kern, who was 
killed Jan. 22, 1867, by a tree falling on him 
while working in the woods. She was born 
March 8, 1841, and was the daughter of Levi 
and Rebecca (Williams) Ro.senkrans, being 
one of a family of fourteen children. She died 
Feb. 16, 1907, four weeks after the death of 
her husband, Mr. Hice. 

In 1857, John Hice engaged in the mercan- 
tile business at Newton Centre, and was post- 
master for over 25 years. He was a member of 
the Presbyterian church at Newton. Mr. Plice 
helped build a section of the canal along the 



Miss Lydia E. Trauger. They have one soi'i, 
Lovell L., born Apriri2, 1896. 

JOHN G. HOLMES 
Mr. Holmes was born Sept. 22, 1851 in Cher- 
ry township, Sullivan county, and is the oldest 
of a family of eight children. He attended 
school in one .of the first plank school-houses in 
Cherry township. He helped his father on the 
farm during the spring, summer and autumn 
months, attending school only three or four 
months during the Avinter. In 1865 his father 
moved from the farm to Laporte, Sullivan 
county, to give his childi'en better school ad- 




RESIDENCE OP A. R. HOLLBNBACK 



Built in 1S41 by Amos Learn 



Susquehanna, near McKunes. He was honest. 
capable, energetic, and built up a large mer- 
ehantile business, which he conducted until a 
short time before his death. He was liberal in 
his contributions, and his name was at the head 
of nearly every subscription paper. He was one 
of five men who gave the bell to the Presbyter- 
ian church when it was repaired in 1901. 

ARTHUR R. HOLLENBAOK 

Mr. IToUenback, the third son of Dr. Urias 
and Margaret (Weiss) HoUenbaok was born 
Feb. 8, 1859, in Falls township, Wyoming 
county. Plere he lived until twenty-one years 
of age, when he went to Springfield, Ohio, 
where he learned the carpenter's trade. He 
lived in Nebraska and Colorado about two years. 
In 1887 he moved to Scranton, working at his 
trade. In March, 1898, he came to Newton 
toAATiship, and purchased the farm he now 
owns. 

Mr. liollenback was married Jan. 8, 1881, to 



vantages 



^ , bat John being the oldest, attended 
the Laporte school only four terms of four 
months each. 

. When eighteen years of age he began clerk- 
ing in a general store for C. M. King of Laporte, 
where he worked about two years. In 1871 he 
returned to Cherry township. Here he worked 
in the lumber woods, which has since been his 
employment a greater part of the time. 

Mr. Holmes, was married Dec. 22, 1877 to 
JMiss Lillie P., the oldest daughter of Samuel A. 
and Phalinda (Thompson) Morton of Luzerne. 
Soon after his marriage he purchased a farm in 
Cherry township, where he lived eighteen years. 
During this time he owned three and four 
teams, and employed several men on the farm 
and in the lumber woods. In June, 1895 he 
moved to Port Bowkley (near WilkesrBarre) , 
where he ran a milk wagon for a dairy farm 
till April, 1898. Then he moved to Luzerne. 
December 4th, the same year, he Avent with a 
]")arty to Scranton, Menefee county, Kentucky, 
where he was employed by a large lumber com- 



HISTORY OF NEWTOiN TOWNSHIP 



127 



pany until the mill burned two years later. In 
November, 1900 he returned to Pennsylvania, 
and the next February moved on a dairy farm 
at Keelersburg, Wj^oming county, where he 
lived for one year. April 1, 1902 he moved to 
Jjuzerne, where he worked in a machine shop. 
In June, 1903 he purchased the Peter Sutton 
farm where he is now living. In 1904, he built 
the house illustrated on this page, and since 
has made many more improvements. While 
living in Newton he has devoted much of his 
time to lumbering until the last year. 

Four children complete the family circle, 
namely: (1) Allen, born Sept. 4, 1879, and 



1854; Mrs. Elizabeth Vaughn, born May 18, 
1856; Walter K., born June 22, 1858; Henry 
L., born July 21, 1860; Mrs. Martha A. Sch- 
woerer, horn Oct. 28, 1862; Mrs. Augusta 
O'Neill, born Nov. 19, 1865. 

Samuel A. Morton, born in Bangor, Maine, 
May 1, 1835 and died in 1901 at Onset, Mass. 
He married Miss Phalinda Thompson of Wy- 
oming county. They had a family of three 
children, namely: Lillie P., born Jan. 25, 1858 
and married .John G. Holmes;' Flora, bom Dec. 
4, 1865, died in February, 1887; Effie M., (Dr. 
Effie _M. Pace, 0. D.), born Sept. 21, 1867. She 
is living in Luzerne. 




RESIDENCE OP JOHN G. HOLMES 



married Oct. 10, 1902 to Miss Cora Brungess. 
He is employed by the Commonwealth Tele- 
phone Company at Centremoreland. They have 
two children, Russell and Edward. (2) Lewis 
M., born April 9, 1881, and has been employed 
at the Baltimore Steel Works several years. (3) 
Ray v., born March 5, 1892, is clerking in 
Kingston. (4) Hazel ^NI., horn Aug. 23, 1894, 
is a stude]:it at the East Stroudsburg Normal 
School. 

Mrs. Plolmes is a descendant (eight genera- 
tions) of Acquilla Chase, who came to this coun- 
trj' in 1620 with the Mayflower company. Her 
grandmother Morton's maiden name was Chase. 

Lewis Holmes, the father of our subject was 
born Dec. 26, 1821 in Sheffield, Mass., and died 
in April, 1883 in Bradford county. He mar- 
ried Miss MuTv M. Green, who was born April 
10, 1824 and died March, 1882. Their family 
of eight children were born as follows: .John G., 
our subject; William S., born Feb. 4, 1853 and 
died in June, 1883; Edmund, born October 4, 



ARTPIUR JACOBY 

Mr. Jacoby was born on the farm now owned 
by his brother, Harlan Jacoby, about one-half 
mile north of Bald Mount postoffice. This farm 
was settled IMarch 25, 1832, by Peter Ayers, 
(grandfather of Mrs. Arthur Jacoby). The 
same year he sold out his claim to Henry Wal- 
ter (grandfather of Arthur Jacoby) for a year- 
ling heifer. He is a son of Jacob and Lucinda 
(Water) Jacoby. 

Arthur Jacoby was married Jan. 17, 1881 to 
j\Iiss Ida, daughter of Jacob and Mary (Mali- 
gan) Ayers. Mrs. Jacoby 's mother died when 
Ida was only nine years of age. Then she be- 
gan working out by the week. She has one 
sister, Kate, (Mrs. Benjamin Jacoby) and two 
brothers, William and Isaac Ayers, all living 
in Newton. 

Mr. Jacoby moved to the farm where he is 
now living, April 1, 1884. He erected all the 
buildings and set out an apple orchard and 
other fruit trees. 



128 



HISTORY OF NEWTO,N TOWNSHIP 



Mr. and Mrs. Jacoby are the parents of four 
children, one daughter Katie, and three sons: 
Rali3h, Ernest and Jacob {See Directory). 

Jacob Jacoby^ father of our subject, was 
born in New Jersey. He was a mason by trade, 
which he followed until a shon time before his 
death in 1892. He married Miss Lucinda Wal- 
ter, daughter of Henry Walter, one of the pion- 
eer settlers of Newton, coming here from New 
Jersey about 1832. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Jacoby 
were the parents of seven children, four of 
whom, are living, namely: Kate (Mrs. Noah 
Smith), of Ransom; and Arthur, Benjamin and 
Harlen who are living in Newton. 

BENJAMIN JACOBY 

Mr. Jacoby, born May 31, 1863 in Newton 
on the homestead farm now owned by his l^ro- 
ther, Harlan. He was married Aug. 6, 1885 
to Miss Catherine, daughter of Jacob and Polly 
(Milligan) Ayers. {See William D. Ayers.) 

Mr. and Mrs. Jacoby have a family of three 
children, namely: (1) Howard, .born May 25, 
1886. He is a carpenter by trade. (2) Lil- 
lian B., born July 18, 1890. She married Wes- 
ley H. Lacoe, son of Frank and Minnie (Wil- 
liams) Lacoe of Newton. They have two chil- 
dren living: Roy H. and Donald W. (3) Helen 
E., born Feb. 19, 1908. 

About 1895, Mr. Jacoby purchased a farm of 
Richard Busteed, which he sold in 1910 to 
Abram Peters. In 1909 he purchased the Lewis 
Jennings farm, which he sold in 1912 to Wm. 
Scutt. Mr. Jacoby is a son of Jacob and Cclin- 
da (Walter) Jacoby. {See Jacob Jacoby.) 

MRS. RUTH M. HOPKINS 

Mrs. Llopkins was born at Waverly, North 
Abington township, July 12, 1832. She is the 
youngest child of Nehemiah and Catherine 
(Clark) Tinkham, who were the parents of nine 
children, one son and eight daughters. IMrs. 
Hopkins is the onlv one living. She was mar- 
ried Feb. 2, 1852 "to Williarn Clay, who was 
drowned in Gravel Pond, May 27, 1868. Three 
years later (January 2, 1871) she married 
Solomon Hopkins. The same year they came 
to the farm where she is living. 

Solomon Hopkins was born in 1808 in Sus- 
sex county, New Jersey, and died in Newton 
township Aug. 17, 1884, after a lingering ill- 
ness of Bright's disease, 

Mr. Hopkins married the first time, June 7, 
1829 to Miss Mariah Sturr, daughter of Isaac 
and Mary (Demorest) Sturr. She died May 
26, 1870. 

Mr. Hopkins came to Newton about 1832 and 
settled the farm now owned by Mrs. Elizabeth 
Saxe near Milwaukie where he lived several 



years, and then mo^'ed to the farm near Schultz- 
vilie now owned by his second wife, Mrs. Ruth 
M. Hopkins. 

EDWARD A. KERN 

Mr. Kern was born Julj^ 9, 1864 in Newton 
on the farm now owned by Jesse Ware. He is 
the youngest of nine children of Henry and 
Samantha (Williams) Kern. 

Edward A. Kern attended the Fire Proof 
and Cosner schools until about fifteen years of 
age. He was only fourteen when his father was 
killed, and when only eighteen years old began 
working the farm on .shares, which he worked 
for thirteen years till the farm was divided in 
1895. He selected sixty acres of woodland for 
his part, and soon began cutting the timber 
and clearing the land. In 1898 he built a ten- 
room house, which they occupied on the last 
day of October. Mr. Kern was married Aug. 
6, 1888 to Miss Arena Lesh, the oldest daughter 
of J. B. and IMary (Marlatt) Lesh. Mr. and 
Mi-3. Kern have three children living, two died 
in infancy and Margaret J. died March 10, 
1910, aged 20 years. ' 

Mrs. Kern was born in Scranton and when 
five years old she moved with her parents to 
Caledonia, Elk county, in 1875. In Dec, 187(i 
they moved to Dallas county, Texas. The first 
night in Texas they slept under cedar trees and 
used cedar boughs for beds, and Arena, who is 
now Mrs. Kern, slept in a large trunk which 
contained the bedding during the journey. 
They lived in Texas seven years, part of the 
time living in tents. Her father worked several 
farms on .shares. The chief -crops were cotton, 
corn and sugar cane. 

On July 17, 1883 they left Dallas City for the 
East, with a small pair of Texas ponies and a 
heavy covered wagon, containing about 2,200 
lbs of bedding, clothing, provisions and cooking 
utensils, and seven members of the family and 
the collie dog. They drove on an average, 
about 27 miles a day, stopping for a few days 
at several places. The}^ reached Cleveland, 0., 
Sept. 27th, where they remained during the 
winter, leaving there April 19, 1884 and arrived 
at Falls, Pa., on the 12th day of May, making 
a drive of 2,247 miles from Dallas, Texas. 

Henry Kern was born Dec. 8, 1817, and a 
.?on of Jacob and Mary (Winter) Kern. He 
married Miss Samantha Williams. They were 
the parents of nine children, namely-: William 
A., Henry Baldwin, Abram W., Susan (Mrs. 
Joseph Kircher), David C, Albert P., Mrs. 
Kate Berlew, Edward A. and Jacob, who died 
when two years of age. Henry Baldwin Kern 
died in the army Aug. 15, 1863 and William 
A. was killed by'a tree Jan. 22, 1867. 

Henrj'^ Kern owned 332 acres of land which 



- £, 



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a 



T. M. KRBSGB'S TWO HESIDENCES AND BARNS 




T. M. KRESGE'S HEltp OF HOLSTEIN COW^ 



HISTORY OF NEWTO,N TOWNSHIP 



131 



was divided between liis six surviving children 
after his death. lie was killed Dec. 19, 1877 
by falling from an oat mow in the loft of the 
barn while threshing, striking on the machine, 
breaking his back. 

Jacob Kern, grandfather of our subject, was 
born Nov. 8, 1792 and died June 6, 1858. _ lie 
was married Dec. 25, 1814 to Miss Mary Winter. 
He came to Newton from Pittston in 1842 and 
settled on the farm now owned by P. P. Vos- 
burg, Avhere he built a log-house. 

EDWARD KIRCIiER 

Mr.. Kircher is the youngest son of Joseph 
N. and Susan (Kern) Kircher. He was born 
in Newton township, Sept. 10, 1884. PTe at- 
tended school at Newton Centre until sixteen, 
then he entered Keystone Academy in Septem- 
ber, 1900, from which he graduated with hon- 
ors, June 12, 1902. lie married Sept. 24, 1908 
to Miss Zida E., oldest daughter of George H. 
and Eva (Bunnell) Rifenbary. Mr. Rifen- 
bary has been superintendent of the Ransom 
Home since March, 1898 {See Ransom town- 
xJiip). 

Mrs. Kircher attended the district school and 
later Keystone Academy and Bloomsburg Nor- 
mal School. She has one sister, Gladys Oelo, 
who married Truman K. Biesecker of Newton. 

Mr. and Mrs. Kircher have one daughter. 
Dorothy Arline, born Feb. 20, 1910. 

Joseph N. Kircher was born in Fulda, Ger- 
many, Jan. 12, 1840. He came to Ransom 
township a poor boy when twelve years of age. 
He attended school in this country only six 
months. For about nine years he worked for 
some of the farmers in Ransom township, where 
he got his start in life. 

Nov. 2, 1862, he enlisted as a corporal in 
Company G, 177th Regiment "Pennsylvania 
Volunteers, serving faithfully until the com- 
pany was mustered out, Aug. 5, 1863. Pie was 
married in January, 1872 to Miss Susan Kern 
(born Jan. 29, 1847). To them were born 
three children, namely: (1) Henry K., born 
Feb. 10, 1873j now a prominent physician of 
.Joplin, Mo. (2) Maye, born Oct. 7, 1874, mar- 
ried P. P. Vosburg. They are living on a farm 
in iNewton. (3) Edward, the subject of this 
sketch. 

About 1870, Mr. Kircher purchased a farm 
from Thomas Kresge, containing fifty-two 
acres, and later purchased two or three smaller 
tracts, until he had accumulated nmety-seven 
acres. This farm is now owned by his son, 
Edward. lie also saved considerable money. 
lie died Aug. 15, 1908. His wife resides with 
her daughter, IMrs. Vosburg. 

Mv. Kircher was elected school director and 



poor master of Newton there times. He was 
also road supervisor and assessor. 

THOMAS MORGAN KRESGE 

Mr. Kresge is one of the leading agriculturists 
and dairymen of Newton township, owning two 
hundred acres of productive land and a fine 
herd of eighteen holstein cows, shipping the 
milk to Pittston. In 1911 he produced 1000 
bushels of oats, raised thirty-two acres of rye 
and cut about seventy-five tons of hay. 

Mr. Kresge is a prominent member of New- 
ton Grange, No. 251,, being Master for the last 
three years. He is Sunday School superinten- 
dent of the Falls M. E. Sunday School, also sup- 
erintendent of the Wyoming County Sunday 
School Association. He united with the Falls 
M. E. Church when only fourteen years of age. 
He is a loyal temperance worker. In October, 
1911, he attended the State Sunday School Con- 
vention at New Castle, Pa., being sent as a 
delegate by the Wyoming County S. S. Asso- 
ciation. 

Mr. Kresge was born May 11, 1872 in Falls 
township. He is a son of David and Lydia 
(Fitch) Kresge. lie attended the Port Royal 
and Pine Grove district schools until seventeen 
years of age when he entered Keystone Aca- 
demy, after which he attended the East Strouds- 
burg iSTormal School. lie lived with his parents 
until twenty-nine years of age, when he was 
married June 12, 1901 to Miss Georgiana, 
daughter of Jesse 'and Hannah (Lesh) Hunt 
of Falls township. 

Mr. and Mrs. Kresge began housekeeping on 
his father's farm, where they have since lived. 
lie purchased the farm in April, 1911. Mrs. 
Kresge was born Jan. 1, 1873. She attended 
Keystone Academy four terms. She taught 
school eight years. 

Mr. and Mrs. Kresge have a family of three 
children: Ralph D., born Dec. 29, 1904; Don- 
ald T., born Dec. 11, 1906; Elsie Marie, born 
Aug. 2, 1911. 

Thomas Kresge, like his father, enjoys travel- 
ing. Nearly every year he and his wife plan 
some vacation trip, including the Pan-American 
Exposition at Buffalo, and "a trip to Philadel- 
phia, liarrisburg and Washington, D. C. On 
their way they visited the magnificent estate of 
Senator DuPont, at Wilmington, Del. 

In November, 1909, Mr. Kresge installed an 
acetylene lighting plant, which furnishes light 
for both, his resiclence and barn. They are 
both equipped with running water and all mod- 
ern improvements, including individual water 
buckets in the co>v stalls. 

David Kresge, born Dec. 19. 1845 in Monroe 
county. He is a son of Thomas and Lydia 



132 



HISTORY OF NEWTOiN TOWNSHIP 



(Gregorj') Kresge who were born in ]\Ionroe 
county, and came to Lackawanna in 1846 and 
to Newton in 1854. Then they purchased the 
farm now owned by the Joseph Kircher estate, 
from Peter Rutan. Here they hved ten years, 
then selhng to Joseph Kircher and purchasing 
the Timothy Drake farm, which is now owned 
by Christopher Richards. Tliey Hved here 
about twenty years then sold the farm to tlieir 
son, Jolm Kresge. They (Mr. and Mrs. Tho- 
mas Kresge, Sr.) had a family of ten children; 
Mary, George, Henry, David, Amy and Kate 
(twins), William, John, Lydia and Sarah. 
George and Lydia died in childhood. Henry 
died in 1905, and Mary in 1908. 

David Kresge was married July 3, 1866 to 
Miss Lydia, daughter of Morgan and Mary 
Ann (Williams) Fitch. She was born Jan. 5, 
1847 in Overfield township, Wyoming county, 
and died Dec. 12, 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Kresge 
were the parents of three children, namely: 
(1) Elizabeth M., born April 25, 1869 and mar- 
ried Sept. 24, 1901 to Harry A. Odell of Falls 
township, and have one child, Thomas Foster, 
born Dec. 15, 1902 (2) Thomas M., our sub- 
ject. (3) F. Leslie, born June 30, 1884 and 
was married April 3, 1905 to Miss Myrtle M. 
Hillock of Detroit, Mich. They are living in 
Indianapolis, Ind. 

Mrs. David Kresge united with the M. E. 
Church at Newton in 1878 and was ever after 
a faithful and devoted member of that denomi- 
nation. Later she joined the Falls M. E. 
Church, and for more than thirty years was 
superintendent of the primary department of 
Falls M. E. Sunday School, doing a wonderful 
work, always being a faithful and devoted 
friend and teacher, seldom being absent unless 
from illness. She was an ideal wife and mother. 
Her daily life was marked with cheerfulness, 
good sense and great piety, for which she was 
generally respected and loved. 

David Kresge traveled through the west dur- 
ing the winter of 1904-05, visiting his son, F. 
Leslie, at Chicago, who, at that time, was mana- 
ger of one of the many five-and ten-cent stores 
owned by his cousin, S. S. Kresge, now the larg- 
est independent owner of such stores in the 
world. He spent several weeks with his cou- 
sin, John B. Swarts, in Moniton, Oklahoma. 
He made another trip to Oklahoma in 1907, 
visiting on the way, relatives in San Jose, Mo. 
and Indianapolis, Ind. 

CHARLES H. KRESGE 

C. H. Kresge, born in Newton, is the oldest 
son of" John and Emorgene (Van Campen) 
Kresge, and a grandson of Thomas Kresge. 
C. H. Kresge has one sister, Stella. She mar- 
ried Daniel Raife, and lives in Scranton; a 



half brother, Arthur V., a general merchant 
and undertaker in Carlisle, Ind. ; another bro- 
ther, Walter F., died Sept. 8, 1894, aged 15 
years. 

Mr. Kresge has a common school education. 
When eighteen years old he began clerking in 
a grocery store in Pittston, working there over 
five years. In January, 1899, he began work- 
ing at the Hillside Home as an attendant, where 
he remained over three years. While there he 
became acquainted with Miss Fannie E. Blew- 
ett, who was also an attendant at the Home. 
They were married June 12, 1901. They re- 
mained at the Home until April 1, 1902, when 
they rented a farm for six years of Geo. W. 
Beemer, the superintendent of the Hillside 
Home. April 1, 1908, he moved to the farm 
where he now lives, which he purchased two 
years before. 

Mrs. Kresge is a daughter of William and 
Betsey Blewett of Wayne County. 

C. IT. Kresge is one of Newton's most pro- 
gressive farmers. He has a large dairy of 
twenty cows, producing both summer and wiii- 
ter milk, which he deliveres to a dealer in 
Scranton. He also hauls milk for several 
of his neighbors. He is an extensive pro- 
ducer of cabbage, tomatoes, sweet corn, po- 
tatoes, etc., which he also sells in Scranton at 
profitable prices. In February, 1909, he was 
elected school director, and held the office of 
treasurer for one year. Two children complete 
the family circle, namely: Emorgene, born Jan. 
17, 1904; William B., born Feb. 21, 1906. 

William Blewitt was born in England, 
Aug. 14, 1839, and came to this country Avhen 
ten years of age. He was married Dec. 31, 
1859 to Miss Betsey Cruse. She was born Oct. 
31, 1835 and died February 28, 1907. Mr, and 
Mrs. Blewett had a family of twelve children, 
but only eight are living, namely: Mary Ann, 
born Feb. 27, 1861 ; Wm. Henry, born May 2, 
1862; Fannie Ellen, born Oct. 22, 1863; Eliza 
Jane, born Feb. 25, 1865: John James, born 
Feb. 2, 1867 : Lillie Marie, born Jan. 31, 1869 ; 
Ezra Frankhn, born April 17, 1871; Lillie, 
born Mar. 21, 1873; Amanda L., born Jan. 7, 
1875 ; Elias, born Nov. 23, 1876 ; Bessie, born 
May 28, 1879; Clarence, born Mar. 17, 1881. 
Four more died , several years ago : Mary, aged 
31 years; WiUiam, aged 27 years; Lillie Marie, 
aged 18 months and Bessie, aged 6 months. 

JOHN FRANCIS LACOE 

Mr. Lacoe Avas born on the farm where he 
now lives, July 18, 1858. He is a son of Wil- 
liam A. and Sybil (Ash) Lacoe. 
-J. F. Lacoe was married Jan. 21, 1882 to 
Miss Arminta L. Williams of Ransom, who was 
born March 30, 1860 and died May 25, 1901. 



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C. H. KRp:SGEr8 RI'^SIDWXCE ANIi ( '( )XC'R]':TI'; MlMv IKjl'Sl': 




MRS. ABIGAII, LaRUB'S RESIDENCE 



HISTORY OF NEWTOK TOWNSHIP 



135 



She was a daughter of Brittam (b. July 7, 1823 
— d. Feb. 24, 1891) and Martha (Blackman) 
Wilhams. To Mr. and Mrs. Lacoe four chil- 
dren were born : Jesse M., born Oct. 23, 1882, 
and married Miss jNIaeme Vaughn, in Septem- 
ber, 1904. They have two daughters, Jean D., 
born Sept. 28, 1906 and Marion E., born Nov. 
28, 1908. Jesse is a Real Estate Broker in 
Clark's Summit. Nelson S., born Sept. 4, 1884 
and is a carpenter. Martha L., born June 16, 
1886 and is a teacher. Wesley H., born March 
31, 1889 and is a carpenter. He was married 
SeDt. 12, 1909 to Miss Lillian Jacoby, daughter 
of Benjamin Jacoby. They have two sons, 
Roy and Ray (twins'), born Jan. 26, 1910. 




J. F. LACOE 

J. F. Lacoe was elected School Director about 
tAventy-five years ago, serving four years. In 
February, 1900 he was elected Justice-of-the- 
Peace, was re-elected in 1905, and in 1910 was 
elected for the third term. 

Mr. Lacoe is a progressive farmer. For sev- 
eral j^ears he has raised about 2,000 baskets of 
tomatoes which he sells in the Scranton mar- 
kets. He has four green houses and raises over 
200,000 cabbage and tomato plants each year. 

Anthony Lacoe, grandfather of J. F. Lacoe, 
was born in Garville, France, March 11, 1780. 
He came to this country in 1792, and to Wilkes- 
Barre in 1810, and was married April 19, 1812 
to Amelia DuPuy of French descent. In 1814 
Mr. Lacoe settled on the farm in Pittston, 
which then consisted of a tavern and four dwell- 
ing houses. His wife died in 1844, and in 1850 
he sold his farm to the Pennsylvania Coal Co., 
and went to live with his son, William. He 
died March 9, 1883 at the age of 103 years. 



CHAS. E. LACOE 

C. E. Lacoe is the fifth son of Wm. Anthony 
Lacoe. He was born in Nicholson and came to 
Newton with his father when alDOut four year's 
old. When a boy he selected farming for his 
life vocation. For several j'ears he has run a 
threshing machine and ensilage cutter every 
fall. He produces a large quantity of cabbage, 
.sweet corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, apples, etc., 
^^lrich he retails in Scranton. For several 
years he owned a large dairy of twenty-five or 
more cows, selling the milk to Scranton dealers, 
but for last five years has kept only a few cows. 

jMr. Lacoe was married June 22, 1878 to 
Huldah C, the oldest daughter of Brittain and 
Llarriet (Richards) Rosenkrans. i\Ir. and Mrs. 
Lacoe have five children living. Two children 
died in infancy. 

JOSEPH ALLEN LACOE 

^Ir. Lacoe is the youngest son of William 
Anthony Lacoe. He received a common school 
education, remaining on the farm with his pa- 
rents until twenty-one years of age. He was 
married June 18, L884, to Miss Jennie S. Ma^', 
(lie youngest of a family of five children of 
Abram and Leali (Shellabarger) May. She 
is a descendant of Cornelius Jacobson May, who 
canio to this coinilry with the Puritans in 1620 
and was elected governor of the Mayflower col- 
ony. Mrs. Lacoe was born Feb. 8, 1862. She 
taught school three j'^ears in Kansas, and four 
j'ears after she came to Newton in 1880. 

Mr. Lacoe is a prominent farmer of this sec- 
tion. In March, 1885 he moved to the farm 
where he now resides. 

ilr. and Mrs. Lacoe have a family of seven 
children living, namely: (1) Blanche, born 
April 28, 1885. She married John Thompson, 
Dec. 28, 1907. They are living in Newton. 
(2) William A., born' Jan. 7, 1887. (3) Archie 
Gav, born July 13, 1891. (4) Ralph D., born 
March 1, 1895.^ (5) Harry S., born Sept. 23, 
1898. (6 and 7) James Wallace and Joseph 
Wendell, the twins, born June 7, 1904. One 
daughter, Esther (l.oni Oct. 7, 1900) died April 
19, 190L 

William Anthony Lacoe, born Jan. 30, 
1820 at Inkerman, in the Wyoming valley, and 
died in Newton Feb. 23, 1910. He was a son 
of Anthony and Amelia (Duprey) Lacoe. (See 
Anthoni/ Lacoe). He was married Jan. 3, 1843 
to Mi.ss Sybil Ash. They were the parents of 
eleven children. Mrs. Sybil Lacoe died Octo- 
ber 7, 1901. 

WILLIE E. LaRUE 

Willie Erastus LaRue (born on the LaRue 
homestead in Newton, Jan. 28, 1870), is a 



136 



HISTORY OF NEWTOiN TOWNSHIP 



son of Daniel W. and Abigail ( Warren) LaRue, 
and grandson of Joseph and Mary (Miller) La- 
Rue. 

Mr. LaRue received a common school edu- 
cation. He helped his father on the farm un- 
til twenty-three years of age, and April Ist, 
l<S9o rented his father's farm, and has worked 
all or part of it every year since. He was mar- 
ried October 11, 1894 to Miss Nellie A., daugh- 
ter of Chas. M. and Emma (Plobbs) Dailey. 
They were the parents of ten children : Bertha, 
George, Annie, Stanley, Nellie, Willet, Nelson 
Giles and Rose and Alice the twins. Mr. Dai- 
lev died Sept. 4, 191 and Mrs. Dailey died May 
16, 1901. Bertha died in Oct., 1906. George 
died about 1903. Nelson died in Feb., 1911 
and Giles Avas drowned in Lake Winola Aug. 7, 
1906. 

Mr. LaRue purchased the H. P. Jacobs home- 
stead, containing 110 acres, in 1907 for $5,000. 
In 1895 he built a residence on one part of his 
father's farm, and in 1910 built an addition 
and enlarged the porch. The house now con- 
tains eleven rooms, furnace heated, and has run- 
ning water from a tine spring at the foot of the 
mounlain, bath, toilet, hot and cold water and 
all modern improvements. He is installing an 
acetylene gas plant for lighting his residence. 
In 1896 he built a large barn, 50x55 feet, with 
a concrete basement, and running water in the 
Ijuilding. 

Besides his, farm work, Mv. LaRue does quite 
an extensive concrete business. lie has built 
and repaired several bridges in Lackawanna 
county, has contracted to build three this sea- 
son, and has taken the contract to repair fifty 
miles of road in Newton township during 1911, 
He was road supervisor for two years, 1896 and 
1897, and has been school director fV)r the last 
six years. 

Mr. I^aRue is a member of the ^Methodist 
church, and superintendent of the Sunday 
School 'at the Cosner school house, where they 
have about thirty scholars. 

Daniel W. was born May 5, 1827 in Frank- 
lin county, N. Y., and died in Newton May 8, 
1900. lie came to Newton with his parents 
when about two years old. He was married 
Dec. 12, 1861 to Miss Abigail A. Warren, (b. 
.June 15, 1833), daughter of Ethan Allen and 
Anna (Doud) Warren. To this union seven 
children were born ■ Ethan A., born March 27, 
1863 and died Oct. 18, 1887. Frank D., born 
Sept. 7, 1866 and died June 26, 1874. Mmnie 
E., born Feb. 17, 1868 and was married Aug. 
16, 1894 to J. Edward Ward of Bald Mount, 
wiuie E., born Jan. 28, 1870. Louisa May, 
born Aug. 24, 1872 and is living at home. She 
attended Scranton Business College taking a 
course in stenography and typewriting. Charlie 



I., born Sept. 24, 1874 and is a motorman on 
the Scranton Electric Railway. Daniel W., 
born Oct. 9, 1878, married Miss Mable Guinipp, 
Dec. 24, 1907, and is living in Cambridge, Mass. . 
He has been principal of several schools, and 
for the last three years Superintendent of 
Schools in Augusta, Me. 

Joseph LaRue was the father of Daniel W. 
and the grandfather of Willie E. He married 
Mary Miller. To them were born eleven chil- 
dren: — Morgan, who died in the army, Mat- 
thew, Mary, Joseph, Miller, Caroline, Anna, 
William, Jane, Erastus and Daniel. None of 
them are living. > 

The LaRues are of French descent. 




MRS. ABIGAIL, LaRUE 

SAMUEL LASHER 

Mr. Lasher, born in Falls township, Wyom- 
ing county, June 23, 1867. He is a sou of 
Arnold and Margaret (Van Wye) Lasher, and 
a grandson of Peter Lasher. 

Mr. Lasher Avas born and reared on a farm. 
He received a common school education at the 
Post Hill and Falls schools. He lived with his 
parents until nearly twenty-one yeare of age, 
then he hired out to Jolui Kresge of Newton for 
eight months. In 1889 he was employed at 
the Ransom Plome as teamster, working under 
Jacob Place, who was superintendent at that 



HISTORY OF NEWTOiN TOWNSHIP 



137 



time. Plere he worked four years. May 6, 
1893, Mr. Lasher was employed as keeper at the 
Hillside Home, where he worked mitil March 
1, 1900. For the next six years he worked at 
farming. Sept. 24, 1906, he returned to the 
Hjllside Honie, working as night watchman un- 
til April 1, 1912, when he was promoted to 
farm foreman. 

Arnold Lasher, born June 28, 1832 in the 
State of New York and died April 28, 1904 in 
Falls township. He married Miss Margaret 
Van Wye. She was born March 17, 1833 in 



M. JMotzgar. Mr. Metzgar died Dec. 28, 1897. 
leaving J\Irs. Metzgar with two small children. 
Their daughter, Lulu E., born April 25, 1886 
and married Garfield White, September 15, 
1910, and resides in ({lenburn. Ira M., lives 
with his mother. He owns a fly shuttle cai'pet 
loom, and docs first-class wea.ving. 

DENNIS MICHAELS 

Mr. ilichaels was born in Luzerne county, 
and oldest son of .John ^Michaels, who was. born 
in Monroe county, Januar^^ 16, 1818 (died in 




SAMUEL LASHER'S RESIDENCE 



Jlonroe county. They had a family of ten 
children, two sons and eight daughters, namely; 
Mary, Peter, Helen, Dean, Lucinda, Samuel, 
Ida, Minnie, Carrie and Margaret. 

MRS. ELIZABETH METZGAR 

Mi's. Metzgar is a daughter of Win. and ^lar- 
garet (Ace) Blackwell, who were the parents 
of eight children, one son and seven daughters, 
five of whom are living: ]\Irs Sarah Breezie, 
Mrs. Elizabeth Metzgar, jMrs. Emily Landsidle, 
Mrs. Ada Metzgar and John. Mrs. Metzgar 
was born near Pittston. Her father had a large 
family, and she began working out at house 
work when only twelve years old, which she 
followed until married Jan. 12, 1884 to Edward 



Ransom Nov. 21, 1854), and moved to Luzerne 
county about 1838. He was married February 
13, 1841 to Miss Sarali AI. Drake (born in New 
Jersejr March 18, 1817 and died in Ransom 
Feb. 4, 1894) , the oldest daughter of Jacob L. 
Drake. 

Dennis Michaels helped his mother on the 
home farm until twenty-one years old. In 
April, 1862, he went to Michigan and other 
..western states, and returned to Ransom in Au- 
gust, 1864. He worked at the carpenter's trade 
for about twenty-five years. April 1, 1890, 
rented a farm at Schultzville, and has since fol- 
lowed farming. Jan 5, 1903 he moved to the 
farm in Newton township that he purchased 
froui Paul Aten. Mr. Michaels was married 



138 



HISTORY OF NEWTOiN TOWNSHIP 



Dec. 30, 1865. He has one son, George W.. 
who was nianicd Nov. 29, 1905 to Sadie, dangh- 
lei- of Thomas Benedict. Dennis Michaels has 
(iiit> lii'dllier, .lacob, born Sept. 11, 1852 and is 
living in A(h'ian, Micli. (See page 142). 

JOHN 0. NEWMAN 

•I. G. Newman was born on the old homestead 
farm, April 25, 1865, Avhere he has since lived. 
He attended the Shook school, where he re- 
ceived a connnon school edncation. Mr. New- 
man is a son of Charles H. and Mary (Lan- 
terman) NcAvman. 



1834. She attended school at Wyoming Semi- 
nary, and later taught school about three years. 
There were born to the union of Mr. and 
I\[rs. Charles H. Newman two sons and one 
(laughter, namely: Eleanor, born Oct. 11, 1863 
and was married Oct. 16, 1889 to J. C. Richards 
of IJunsom township. She died Feb. 15, 1911; 
John, the subject of this sketch and William 
H., born Aug. 13, 1871, and is a prominent 
physician, living at Bald Mount. (See History 
of 'Newton Township) . Mrs. Newman is now 
living with her son-in-law, J. G. Richards, of 
Ransom. 




JOHN C. NEWMAN'S RESIDENCE 



John C. Newman is twice married. His first 
inarriage being June 12, 1894 to Miss Minnie 
J., daughter of Samuel and Phebe (Bogert) 
Decker," who was born in Newton township, 
.June 17, 1866 and died May 19, 1909. To this 
union were born three children, one son and two 
daughters, namely: Charles li., born Dec. 5, 
1898 ; Mary E., born Aug. 12, 1901 and Flor- 
ence D,. born May 17, 1905. 

Mr. Newman was married again, June 7, 
1910, to Miss Estella Frisbie, daughter of Dan 
and Emma (Spangenburg) Frisbie. She was 
])orn July 6, 1885. One child, Lester, was born 
to them, June 5th, 1911. 

Mr. Newman was elected school director in 
I'ebruary, 1908. 

Charles H. Newman was born near Kings- 
ton, April 29, 1822 and died in Newton on the 
homestead farm, ]\Iarch. 20, 1897. He was a 
son of Henry and Susanna (Harris) Newman. 
Charles H. was married March 2, 1859 to Miss 
iNfarv, daughter of John and Sarah vVnn 
(A'aughan)' Lanterman. Mrs. Newman was 
born in Sussex county. New Jersey, April 19, 



WILLIAM HARRIS NEWMAN, M. D. 

For miles in every direction from Newton 
the people are acquainted with Dr. iNewman 
and can testify as to his skill in the practice of 
his profession, his upright character as a man, 
and that by his genial disposition he has made 
many friends. 

Mr. Newman was born on the homestead in 
Newton, Aug. 13, 1871, and is a son of Charles 
and Mary (Lanterman) Newman. He attended 
the Shook district school until sixteen years of 
age. In 1887 he entered Wyoming Seminary 
where he attended three years during the winter 
sessions, helping his father on the farm during 
the spring and summer months. He taught 
school at Milwankie during the winter of 1900- 
'01. In September, 1901. when twenty years of 
age, he entered the Lackawanna (now State) 
Hospital in Scranton, as a nurse, where he be- 
gan studying medicine. Two years later he 
entered Jefferson Medical College in Philadel- 
])hia, from which he graduated in the spring of 
1896, and on the 20th day of July, the sape 
year, he received his license to practice medicine 



HISTORY OF NEWTON TOWNSHIP 



139 



and surgery from the State Medical Council at 
Harrisburg. 

Dr. Newman first located in Mill City where 
he practiced for about six months. Then he 
l^urchased the practice and residence of Dr. F. 
1. Smith of Newton, locating here Dec. 31, 
1896. He has an extensive practice in Newton, 
Falls and Ransom townships and the surround- 
ing countrj'. 

Dr. Newman is Medical Examiner for several 
of the most prominent Life Insurance Compa- 
nies. In February, 1904, he Avas elected school 
director, and has been re-elected twice, and is 
now secretary of the board in which capacity 
he lias s.erved for about four years. 




W. H. NEWMAN, M. D. 

Dr. Newman has been twice married. His 
first wife was Miss Eva M. Coon, daughter of 
Levi and Eliza (Hopkins) Coon, to whom he 
was married Dec. 30, 1896. She was born Sept. 
15, 1873 and died -Jan. 11, 1903. Dr. Newman 
was married again, -July 20, 1904, to Miss Alice 
B. Coon, daughter of George C. and Jane 
(Moore) Coon of Ransom townshii3. To them 
three children were born, namely : George C, 
born Aug. 16, 1905; Marion J., born Nov. 9, 
1906 ; William H., born Nov. 15, 1907, 

JAMES REED 

_ Mr. Reed was born July 29, 1864 at Schultz- 
ville, and a son of Moses and Sarah (Ross) 
Reed. He was married April 13, 1895 to Ida 
M., youngest daughter of James B. and Eliza- 
beth E. (Blakslee) Mack. 



Mr. and Mrs. Reed have a family of four 
children, namely: Roy A., born March 21, 
1897; Maud E., born Aug. 12, 1899: Lucy, 
born Sept. 16, 1903; Bennie J., born Sept. 4, 
1905. 

Mr. Reed does an extensive business weaving 
cari^ets and rugs, which have secured first prem- 
iums for the last two years at the Lackawanna 
County Fair and Grange Poultry Association, 
which is held at Clark's Summit. 

ELjMER ELLSWORTH RICHARDS 

E. E. Richards Avas born June 13, 1861 in 
NeA\'ton, on the farm now owned by D. W. 
Richards. He is a grandson of Peter Richards, 
who was born March 1, 1805 and died October 
1, 1850, aged 45 yeai-s, 7 months. He came to 
Xewton about 1832 settling on the farm Avhere 
his .son, Daniel W., noAv lives. Peter was tAvice 
married. His first Avife Avas Fanny Beenier, 
daughter of Jacob Beemer of Ncav -Tersey, Avho 
died NoA^ 8, 1837, aged 35 years, 5 months, 9 
days. His second wife Avas Jlary Michael-', 
daughter of Frederick Michaels, avIio died June 
25. 1853, aged 36 years, 7 months, 28 daysi. 

Elmer E. Richards Avas married Dec. 22, 188(3 
to Miss Alice Harris (born in Wales), daughter 
of William P. (b 1819— d 1889) and Dorulliy 
Jane Harris (who Avas a daughter of .loliu 
Thornton of Bath, England). "Mr. and Mrs. 
Richards have tAvo children: Egbert E., born 
in NeAvton, Sept. 28, 1889 and is Avorking for 
Frank .lennings of Chinchilla. Maud E,. Ixirn 
in Pittston, AiTg. 20, 1893. is living at hmne. 

Jacob B. Richards, born in Sussex comity, 
Ncav -Jersey, Dec. 15, 1829 and died in Falls 
toAvnship, Wyommg county, Feb. 27, 1897. He 
came to NcAvton with his parents, Peter and 
Fanny Richards, about 1832. He Avas married 
about 1851 to Mary Elizabeth Collum, daughter 
of Horace and Sarah (Skellenger) Coilum. 
She Avas born iNov. 4, 1832 and died April 25, 
1898. Jacob B. and his Avife had a family of 
seven children, three boys and four girls: — 
Horace, born about 1852 and died in California, 
March 15, 1908. He was tAvice married. His 
first Avife, Clara Austin, of Benton, died about 
1881. His second wife Avas Lola Snyder of 
AA'oca. Sarah, born about 1854 and died April 
22, 1903. Alice, born about 1856 and married 
EdAA'in Felts. They are living in Santa Anna, 
Cal., Egbert A., born about"l858, and is Iia^- 
ing in Pasadena, Cal. His fir.st wife, Lizzie 
Aten, died in August, 1907. He married his 
second Avife, Anna Vail of Pasadena, Cal., .Tan. 
1, 1910. Elmer E., born .June 13, 1861. Susie 
E., l:)orn in March, 1869. and married Arthur 
Aten. ThcA' are noAv living in Pasedena, Cal. 
Libbie, born .July 10, 1871 and died March 13, 
1878, aged 6 years, 8 months, 3 days. 



140 



HISTORY OF NEWTOiN TOWNSIITI 



DANIEL W. RICI-IARDS 

j\Ir. Richards lias filled go promiiienl. a. place 
iiiiioug the citizens of Newton as to deserve more 
than a passing;' mention. He was born Feb. 2"2, 
liS;')!) in a loo-h(ai.se on the farm .nettled by his 
father in 18o2. Mr. Richards pnrchased tliis 
farm April 6, 1900, which he owned until 
April, 1911, when he sold to Christopher Rich- 
ards. He purchased the farm where he is now 
hving May 2.1, 18G8. This is part of the farm 
originally settled by his father. 

i). \V. Richards is a son of Peter and ^lary 
(Michaels) Richards, and a grandson of 
Abram, and a great grandson of Nathaniel 
Richards. 



October 18, 1860 to Miss Almnin, daughter of 
Anids and Margaret (Shook) Learn. She was 
born .Jnly 21, 1841 and died Sept. 28, 1866. 
Mr. and Mrs. Richards were the parents of two 
sons: (1) Amos Clyde, born June 17, 1861. Fie 
married Miss Mary Hoover of Duryea. lie died 
Oct. 2o, 1.S92, leaving a danghter, E.stcUa, and 
a son, Clvde. (2) Willie Parke, born Aug. 9, 
bSd.") and died Dec. 23, 1872. 

After the death of his first wife, Mr. Richards 
married (Sept. 17, 1867) Miss Marietta, daugh- 
ter of .hihn and Harriet (Smith) Thompson. 
She was Ijorn May 27, 1837 and died June 10, 
1901. Mr. Richards had one son, John Wes- 
ley, Ijy his second wife. He was Ijorn Jan. 26, 









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D. W, RICHARDS ANrj HIS RESIDENCE 



Mr. Richards' father died when he (Daniel) 
was only eleven years of age, and his mother 
died nearly three years later. 

Mr. Richards is a self-made man. His school- 
days were limited to the winter months, work- 
ing by the month during the spring and sum- 
mer. When fifteen years of age he entered 
Newton Hall Academy. Here he attended two 
winter terms of three months each. At eighteen 
he taught his first term of school in the old log 
school-house at Schnltzville. For several years 
he worked on the farm .summers and taught 
.school winters. When twenty years of age he 
clerked one year for John Flice. About 1863 
he purchased the store at Mihvaukie. In 1868 
he was elected Justice-of-the-Peace, and re-elect- 
ed five years later. He has been elected to serve 
the people of Newton in nearly every township 
office. Mr. Richards chose farming for his life 
employment in early life which has since been 
his chief occupation. 

Mr. Richards has been thrice married. First, 



18159, and married April 28, 1896 to Miss Mar- 
garet Ellen Lane. He died June 3, 1906, leav- 
ing one son, W^eslej' Daniel. 

Mr. Richards was again married Feb. 9, 1907 
to Mrs. Annie Richards, of Oklahoma. 

MRS. ELIZABETH ROLOSON. 

Only one of the early settlers of Newton town- 
ship is living at this writing, and her name is 
knoAvn throughout Newton township and sur- 
rounding country. "Aunt Betsy," as she is 
better known among her many friends, Avas 
born February 26, 1815, in Lib'ertyville, Wan- 
tage townshiij, Sussex county, New Jersey, be- 
'ing 97 years of age her last birthday. Aunt 
l^etsv was the fifth child of Jesse CoUum (b. 
March 13, 1786— d. June 29, 1877) and Anna 
(Roloson) (b. Mar. 1, 1789— d. May 21, 1852) 
Collnm. Jesse Collum was the father of twenty 
children, fourteen by his first wife and six by 
his second. 

Mrs. Roloson became the bride of Johnson 



HISTORY OF NEWTO,N TOWNSHIP 



141 



Eoloson, March 16, 1S37. They Uvecl in Sus- 
sex county, N. J. for a couple of years after 
their marriage, until March 28, 1839, when 
they left their old home and friends in old Sus- 
sex county and started on their journey for the 
old Keystone State, arriving in Newton March 
ol. at il o'clock in the forenoon. They went 
to the home of Samuel Mittan, who came here 
six years before and settled on the farm now 
owned by George Biesecker. Thej^ were enter- 
tained at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Mittan until 
the next morning, April Ist, when they went 
into a littlo log cabin, only a few feet from the 
one now ftanding, which they had purchased 
in February from Clayfoss La Tier. This log 
house had Ijeen built, and for some years occu- 
iiied bv a man named Blair. 



farther on, stood until a few years ago. Directly 
across the way from the house stands the spring 
house — fallen into dilapidation, through which 
flowed a broad stream of clear, jjure, spring 
water emanating from a spring walled up and 
moss covered, about five feet from the spring 
house door. 

The sweet yellow butter, cream and milk con- 
tained within that sjaring house will be for all 
time a pleasant memory to all those who have 
been privileged to enjoy them, not to mention 
cookies kept in stone jars, and preserved wild 
strawberry and blackberry jam, a delight to 
favored children. Two or three large trees 
threw a refreshing shade over both the spring 
and spring house. Just back of the log house 
was the apple tree nursery, where were grown 




MRS. ELIZABETH ROLOSON AND HER LOG-CABIN. 



The trip from New Jersey was long and tire- 
some. The snow was deej) and the roads were 
poor, and part of the way very muddy, and for 
several miles large snow banks were prominent. 
They brought all their household goods and 
farm implements from New Jersey with three 
teams, ]Mrs. Roloson walking nmch of the way. 

A turn to the left just before entering the 
village of Bald Jlouut or Newton Centre as it 
is better known, as you drive across the West 
Mountain, brings you to the site of this old 
home near which Johnson Roloson brought his 
bride over seventy-four years ago. This old 
home is only a ruin now, but for many years 
the neat, cosy home of the "oldest inhabitant" 
now living in Newton townshiiJ. A log barn 
built by Mr. Roloson across the way a few rods 



The Oldest Inhabitant of Newton Township. 

from seeds buried in the Autumn and dug up 
in the Spring to be sown. From these seed 
sown by Mrs. Roloson were the trees grown 
constituting the orchard that stands there, bear- 
ing fine fruit today. The trees later were 
grafted with greenings and pippins, the sprouts 
being brought from her father's farm in Sussex 
county, New Jersey, where she was born. The 
quince trees she brought also from her old 
home. At the end of the house was the peach 
nursery, where the trees were raised from seeds. 
When Mrs. Roloson came to her new home 
it was a clearing in a wilderness; heavy Avood- 
land all around, even up to the spring house. 
The only cleared land being the field back of 
the house, the front yard and the field around 
the barn. Her husband cleared the remainder 



142 



HISTORY OF NEWTOiN TOWNSHIP 



of llic fiiriii and now liiit lilllc wood land I'C- 1 
mains. i. 

Coming towaul tlio villai!,e you pass a most 
] lifluresqiie little wood, and just on the farther 
i)order of the wood is the ruin of another jiion- 
eer home — known the eonnly over as the Ross 
house, the early home of ^Irs. .Tohn Van Bus- 
kirk, deceased, and wJio with her husband, also 
formerly of Newton Centre, was among the 
pioneer settlers of Northfield, Minn., now a 
flourishing city. John \^an Buskirk was a 
brother of Christopher "\'au Buskirk, whose pro- 
))erty adjoins the Ross lot. Across the way 
from the Ross house is .'Standing a tree worthy 
of note. It forms an arch across the road, many 
of its branches growing up right from the arch 



loine in time to get dinner, which was a walk 
of about twenty miles. Where is there a girl 
today who would care to do that? She says 
that when a girl, working in Hamburg, New 
Jersey, she would many times walk up home 
after finishing her day's work a distance of 
eleven miles and then walk back in time to get 
breakfast by daylight the next morning. 

The Bible which she holds in the picture 
accompanying this sketch has been her treasur- 
ed possession since she was eighteen years of 
age, having purchased it with five weeks' labor 
at $1 per w'eelc. She has read it through aljout 
thirty times, and it is in excellent condition. 
At her advanced age, she reads her Bible and 
other books and papers without si^ectacles. Mrs. 




RESir)ENCE OF DENNIS MICHAELS 



See page 137. 



good-sized trees in themselves. Mrs. Roloson 
knows its story. In the; winter of 1836 this tree 
was a sapling. A very heavy fall of snow which 
lay on the ground until well into April weighed 
the slender tree until today it stands a monu- 
ment to the truth of the proverb, "Just as the 
hvig is bent the tree is inclined." Mr. Roloson, 
who came to the farm before bringing his wife, 
sowed timothy seed upon the snow that spring. 
The Ross projierty had for many years been a 
part of the Roloson farm until purchased with 
the original a few years ago. 

Mr. Roloson died JNIarch IS, 1872, and for 
years after her husband's death, Mrs. Roloson 
did much of the farming, many times carrying 
the hay into the barn upon her back. Her but- 
ter-making abilities were known all over the 
country, and her butter always demanded a 
good price. She was accustomed to carry her 
butter in pails to Scranton to sell and return 



Roloson experienced religion when eighteen 
years old, and joined the Baptist churcli. 

Mrs. Roloson was the fiftli child in a family 
of fourteen, and her sister, Mrs. Julia A. Ayers, 
of Bradford county, was the twelfth. Mrs. 
Ayers, alert and active as a girl, will be eighty- 
six years of age her next birthday (October 31, 
1912). 

Perhaps one of the secrets of Mrs. Roloson's 
jierjjetual youth is her active life. You would 
find it almost impossible to believe that she had 
worked as she has, or attained tlie age that she 
has, could you see how few lines mark her face. 
Her memory is good, remembering incidents 
happening over eighty-five years ago, she furn- 
ishing the writer with much valuable data of 
tlie pioneer days. She does her own work, 
which is remarkable for a person of her age. 
Her hearing is quite defective, but that is by 
no means an indication of old age. Mrs. Rolo- 



HISTORY OF NEWTOiN TOWNSHIP 



14;:! 



Hon's gTandfather, William Collum, was a sol- 
dier in the lievolutionary War. 

Mrs. Roloson left the old log house in the 
Spring of 1885, and is now living in a part of 
her nephew's house, Andrew S. Collum, the 
postmaster of Bald Mount. She has continu- 
ally deplored the fact and still grieves over 
leaving her old home where she lived so many 
years after the death of her husband. It is 
the earnest hope of her many friends that she 
may reach the century mark. 

AMZI ROSENKRANS 

Mr. Rosenkraus is a son of Brittian and Har- 
riet (Richards) Rosenkraus, and was born -Tune 
10, 1847 in Milwaukie. 



Brittian Rosexkraxs was born Sept. 15, 
1822, and died Jan. 24, 1883. He was a son of 
Levi and Rebecca (Williams) Rosenkraus. 
Brittian Rosenkrans was married April 5, 1845 
to Miss I-Iarriet, daughter of Nathaniel and 
Catherine (Roloson) Richards. They settled 
on the farm no^v owned by William Zeiss, in 
Milwaukie, and about 1825 moved to the farm 
now owned by Amos Rosenkrans in Newton. 

Mr. and Mrs. Brittian Rosenkrans were the 
parents of eight children, six of whom are liv- 
ing: Amzi, born June 10, 1847; Amos, born 
yiay 28, 1850; Johnson R.. born March 3, 
1853 and died in infancy: Johnson, born Mar. 
22, 1855; Huldah C, born Oct. 26, 1857 and 
married Charles Laeoe: Lydia A., born May 16, 




AMZI ROSENKRANS' RESIDENCE. Built in 1825 by Adam Beemer 
Tlie oldest occupied house in Newton township, 



Mr. Rosenkrans attended school in the old 
Lacoe school-house. He was married Nov. 21, 
1887 to Miss Mary M., daughter of Solomon 
and Ellen J. (Vosburg) Van Sickle of Newton 
Centre. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Rosen- 
krans three children were born, namely: (1) 
Earl B., born Sept. 23, 1888. He was married 
Aug. 11, 1909 to Miss Belva L., daughter of 
John C. and Jennie (Dailey) Stark of Clarks 
Summit. (2). Jennie M., born Nov. 21, 1890. 
(3) Roana C, born June 12, 1895 and died 
July 11, the same year. 

Mr. Rosenkrans was born and reared on a 
farm. By occupation he has always been a far- 
mer. He has been constable of Newton town- 
ship for nearly twenty j^ears. He Avas one of 
the first directors of the Newton and Ransom 
Telephone Company. 



1861 and married Dr. Theodore Senderling; 
Alice R., born Jan. 28, 1864; Amanda, born 
Feb. 16, 1866.. All are living in Newton and 
Ransom townships except Mi-s. Senderling, who 
is living in Scranton. 

Levi Rosenkrans was born March 10, 1800 
in Sussex county, Ncav Jersey and died Aug. 25, 
1879. He married Miss Rebecca Williams, 
born Jime 16, 1806 and died Oct. 22, 1877. To 
them fourteen children were born, namely: 
Brittian. Ixnii Sept. 15, 1822 and died Jan. 24, 
1883 ; Lydia Jane, bom May 19, 1824 and died 
April 5, 1897. Amanda, born .Tune 24, 1826 
and died May 8, 1888; Selah A., born Feb. 25. 
1828 and died Feb. 19, 1897; William, bom 
April 3, 1830 and died about 1886 in Iowa; 
Benjamin, born Aug. 2, 1832 and died March 
2, 1887 ; Margaret A., born Oct. 16, 1835 and 



144 



HISTORY OF NEWTON TOWNSHIP 



(lied Oct. 8, 1892 ; Teres^.a, bom Feb. 12, 1837 
and died about 1892; Martha C, bom Feb. 
16, 1839 and died in 1910; Roanna C, bom 
Mar. 8, 1841 and died Feb. 16, 1907; Laton 
and Levi (twins) were bom Feb. 26, 1843. La- 
ton is living in Newton, and Levi died about 
1890; Judson, born March 28, 1845 and is liv- 
iuo- in Newton; Mallery .J., born Mar. 26, 1847. 
He went west and has not been heard from for 
several years. 

Levi Rosenkrans came froui Sussex county. 
New .Jersey, about 1827, and settled on the farm 
now owned by J. F. Lacoe. A few years later 
he moved to the farm now owned by Harry 
Corselius in Milwaukie, wliere he lived until 
1847, when he purchased the farm now owned 
by his grandson, Amzi, wliere he died. 

AMOS ROSENKRANS 

Amos Rosenkrans is the third son of Brittian 
(1822-1883) and Harriet (Richards) Rosen- 
krans (1823-1900) Avho were bom in Sussex 
county. New Jersey. Amos Rosenkrans has 
two brothel's and four sisters living: iVmzi, 
•Tohnson, Huldah 0. Lacoe, Lydia A, Sender- 
ling, Alice R. and Amanda. Two brothers 
died in infancy. Amos, Alice R. and Amanda 
are living on the old homestead. 

Mr. Rosenkrans has been an extensive grower 
of cabbage, tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, car- 
rots, onions,, etc. In 1890 he began growing 
red raspberries, and for nearly fifteen years was 
one of the largest producers in this section, some 
years selling over $1000 worth. 

LATEN ROSENKRANS 

Mr. Rosenkrans was born in Ransoni town- 
ship on the farm now owned by Harry Corse- 
lius, just over the Newton line. His father, 
Levi Rosenkrans, moved fronr Ransom to New- 
ton township on the farm now owned by Amzi 
Rosenkrans, in the spring of 1848, when Laten 
was five years old. 

Laten Rosenkrans received a common school 
education. He lived with his father until 
twenty-four 3^ears of age, when he was married 
Nov. 16, 1866 to Miss Ruth Ann Garrison, 
daughter of Eder Garrison. (See Lewis D. Gar- 
rison.) In 1875 Mr. Rosenkrans purchased 
the farm Avhere he now resides from the Thomas 
Milligan estate. Mr. Rosenkrans keeps a dairy 
of ten cows, selling the milk to the Abinglon 
Dairy Co. of Scranton. Each year he raises 
nearly $700 worth of cabbage, tomatoes, SAveet 
corn, cucumbers, etc., which he markets in 
Scranton. 

Mr. and Mrs. Rosenkrans have four children 
living: — Gusten, who is deaf and dumb, caused 
by l:>lack (oxev. when about two years of age; 
Eva S., born April 13, 1871 and married Llar- 



len Jacoby of Newton, Jan. 27, 1892; Emerson, 
born March 9, 1876 and married Miss Dora 
Rozler, Nov. 6, 1894. They are living in Ran- 
som. Elmer, was married July 12, 1899 to 
Miss Ethel G. Singer. They are living on the 
farm with his father. One daughter, Rebecca, 
was born Jan. 25, 1868 and died March 24, 
1872. 

Levi Rosenkrans was a son of Benjamin 
(See Amzi Rosenkrans) and married Rebecca 
Williams. They had fourteen children : — 
Brittian, Jane, Sealey, Amanda, William, Ben- 
jamin, Margaret, Thersa, Martha, Roanna, 
Levi and Laten (the twins), Judson and Mal- 
lery. 

JOHN WESLEY ROSS. 

Mr. Ross was born in Falls township, Feb. 
24, 1837 and is a son of James and Olive (Hall) 
Ross, and a grandson of William and Ly<lia 
(Osborne) Ross, who were born in Scotland. 

James and Olive Ross M'ere the parents of 
eight children: Gilbert (b. Jan. 23. 1824), 
Christopher, (b. Dec. 7, 1825— d. 1826). .Tames 
(b. April 13, 1828). Dorinda (b. March 4. 
1832), Ziba (b. Aug. 1, 1834), .John (b. Feb. 
24, 1837), Sarah (b. Oct. 10. 1840) and Ches- 
ter (1). Jan. 8, 1844). James Ross had one son 
l)V his second wife, Katheriue Ainey Terpcning: 
William (b. Feb. 1, 1859). 

John W. Ross married Miss Margaret M. Hal- 
sted, Nov. 23, 1860 to whom five children were 
born: Ida D., Lee A., Ada, Eva and Ella. 

Mrs. Margaret Ross died Jan. 30, 1873, aged 
30 yrs., 4 mos., 6 da., and Mr. Ross was married 
again April 8, 1883 to Miss Lydia Almina Rn- 
land, and to this union five children were born : 
Mabel A., born .Julv 20, 1884; Nellie M., born 
April 3, 1886; Charles S., born :\Iav 17, 1888. 
Lena V., born June 12, 1891; Robert R., bom 
Aug. 6, 1895. 

THAD ROTH 

Mr. Roth was born Nov. 15, 1867 in Monroe 
county and came to Newton March 17, 1890. 
He is a son of Amos and Sarah (Frable) Roth, 
wlio are of Dutch descent. ITe was married 
Jan. 14, 1897 to Anna (Kern) Winter, Avidow 
of E. I. Winter, who died April 16, 1893. 

!Mrs. Roth was born Sept. 21, 1857 and is a 
daughter of Charles C. (b. Sept. 28, 1828— d. 
Dec. 26, 1874) and Hannah (Ayers) Kern. 

Hannah (Ayers) Kern, born Aug. 8, 1828 
and died Nov. 7, 1900. She was a daughter of 
William C. (b. Sept. 29, 1800— d. Feb. 19, 
1882), and Anna (Smith) Ayers. Mrs. Ayers 
was bom Nov. 25, 1809 and died Aug. 26, 1881. 
Mr. and Mrs. Avers came from New .Jerse.y and 
settled in Newton about 1820. 

jNIr. Roth was born and reared on the farm. 
By occupation he has always been a farmer. 



HISTORY OF NEWTON TOWNSHIP 



145 



GILES B. ROZELLE 

Mr. Rozelle is a son of Israel (b. April 18,1815 
— d. Dee. 23, 1892) and Esther (Britten) Ro- 
zelle, to whom seven children were born : Amzi, 
Jennie (jNIrs. W. S. Hopkins), Joel, Giles and 
iNiles (twins), Oscar and Orlando. Samuel Ro- 
zelle, grandfather of Giles, was one of Newton's 
early settlers, coming from Newton, New Jersey 
in 1820. 

Giles B. Rozelle learned the painter's trade, 
which he followed mitil 1881. In March. 1888 
he moved to the farm where he now lives. He 
was married to Miss Lizzie Rifenbary Dec. 31, 
1881. She is the second daughter of Benja- 



ii^ Scott township, Lackawanna county and 
died May 14, 1900 in Schultzville. Her mo- 
ther's name before marriage was Lippincott. 
Mr. Rozelle came from Sussex county, Ne-w 
Jersey with his parents in 1820, locating on the 
farm now owned by Charles Lacoe. After Mr. 
Rozelle was married he purchased and cleared 
the farm now owned by Charles Kresge, moving 
in a log-house which was erected a few years 
before. " In 1863 he Ixiilt the house and barn. 

Israel Rozelle was a son of Samuel Rozelle, 
and a brother of Joshua. 

Joshua Rozelle was born in Newton, New 
Jersey, April 9, 1811 and died in Wyoming, 




GILES B. ROZELLB'S RESIDENCE 



miu and Seauea (Hough) Rifenbarv, who 
were the parents of nine children, six of whom 
are living: Oelo (Mrs. Everett Ford), George, 
who is superintendent of the Pittston Poor 
Farm in Ransom; Lizzie (Mrs. Rozelle), Leslie, 
Frank and Lewis. Thomas, Kate and Cora 
have been dead several years. 

To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Rozelle five 
children were born, namely: (1) Clifford J., 
born Aug. 23, 1883 and died Sept. 3, 1884. 
(2) Faye R., born March 23, 1886 and died 
April 20, 1893. (3) Halbert N., born Feb. 
11, 1889 and died Aug. 5, 1889. (4 and 5) 
Cecil H. and Celia S. (twins), born April 18, 
1892. Cecil died April 27, 1893. Celia is liv- 
ing with her parents. 

Israel Rozelle was born April 18, 1815, 
in Newton, New Jersey and died Dec. 23, 1892 
in Milwaukie. He was maried in 1842 to Miss 
Esther Britton. She was born June 17, 1825 



October 10, 1911, at the home of his son, Ebe- 
nezer Rozelle, aged 100 years, 6 months and 1 
day. Jn 1820 he came to Pennsylvania with 
his parents and brothers and sisters, and settled 
on a farm in Newton township (now owned by 
Charles Lacoe). Lie was proud of telling how 
his father ancl the boys entered the unbroken 
wilderness for the purpose of finding a home, 
how they found it, and how the younger mem- 
bers of the family had to dodge the trees felled 
by the axes of the head of the house and his 
older brothers. His father's name was Samuel. 

Mr. Rozelle's history goes back to the time 
when fires were lighted by means of flint-and- 
steel, and pine knots and tallow candles were 
used for illuminating the homes. There were 
no sewing machines, no postage stamps, no 
matches and only the rudest agricultural im- 
plements in the days of his youth. 

In Mr. Rozelle's father's family there were 
fifteen children; eight own brothers and two 



Ii6 



mSTOHY OF NEWTON TOWNHllli* 



half brolhciv, tliree own sisters and twn half 
sisters. Mv. Rozelle was married Feb. 14. 1839 
to Clarissa Covej', taking her as "his valentme," 
as he would say. Mrs.. Rozelle died in 1887. 
Six sons and one daughter were born to the 
union, namely : Perry, Mollie, Martin, Ebene- 
zer, Wilbur. Edward and William. Martin 
died about 1906. 

Mr. Rozelle boasted that he had always lived 
on a farm, and the one regret of his long life, 
he said, was that he had not tilled out his whole 
life on a farm, he moving from the farm about 
two years before his death. 

Mr. Rozelle had perfect, control of all his 
senses, except being a little deaf, up to within 
a few days of his death. For over forty years 
he had been a member and a regular attendant 
at the services of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. He moved to Columbia county about 
1852, where he lived for several years. 

Bexjamin Faulkner Rifenbary was born 
March 4, 1822 in Hackettstown, Warren coun- 
ty, New Jersey, and died Sept. 26, 1882 at AVest 
Nicholson. He was a son of Richard and Sarah 
(Faulkener) Rifenbary. He came from New 
■Tersey, Se^jt. .3, 1855. He was married -hm. 
31, 1846 in Sussex county, New .Jersey, to Miss 
Seanea, daughter of Thomas and Christian 
(Bedell) Hough of New Jersey. Mrs. Rifen- 
bary was born Februarv 13, 1825. and died 
April 22, 1910 at the houie of lier daiighU'i-, 
Mrs. Rozelle. She was one of eigiitee,"i. cliil- 
dreu. Mr. and Mrs. Rifenbary were the j>a- 
rents of nine children, namely: 01k >. ijinii 
March 16. 1847; George, born Jul v 23, 1,S4.S: 
EHzabeth, born Oct. 5, 1850: Thomas, horn 
April 6, 1853 and died Ana;. 6, 1900: Catheni. 
born March 24, 1856 and died Jn-.e :]0, 1872: 
Leshe, born Sept. 3, 1862; Frank, born April 
2, 1865; Cora, born Ajiril 14. 1867 and died 
■Time 4, 1893: Lewis, born Sei)t. 15, 1872. 

iMr. Rifenbary was a soldier in the Civil War, 
serving in Company B, 177th Regiment. 

Thomas HouGir, grandfather of Mrs. Ro- 
zelle, was born Oct. 4, 1784 in New -Jersey and 
died Sept. 5, 1859 at I^ake Winola. He luarried 
Miss Christian Bedell. She was born Hec. 14. 
1787 and died Sept. 11, 1859. Mr. and Mrs. 
Hough came from New .Jersey to visU their 
children in Newton and Falls townships. Both 
were taken sick and died within a week at the 
home of their daughter, Mrs. B. F. Rifenbary 
at Lake Winola (tlaen Breeches Pond). 

Mv. and ilrs. Hough were the parents of 
eigliteen children, namelv: (1) Deborah, born 
July 29, 1808 and died March 16, 1843. She 
married Jonas Courtriglit. Their children were 
Isaac, Peter, Crocker, Stejihen, Elizabeth and 
Christian. (2) Anna Maria, born Oct. 26, 
1809 and died Aug. 2, 1871. She married 



Timothy l)ral<e. Their children were Francis, 
Stephen, Shay, John, Esther, -Mary, Ruth, Phe- 
be and Susan. (3) John, born Dec. 26, 1810 
and died Dec. 26, 1863. He never married. 
(4) Esther, born Jan. 24, 1812 and died Fel). 
15, 1877. She married Michael Waller. Their 
children were I'eter, Elnora, William, (,'lara, 
Timothy, Melvin, ]*lelissa and Adelia. (5) 
Stephen B., born Feb. 15, 1813 and died Oct. 
24, 1850. He married Miss Clara Lance. Their 
children Avere Peter H., Mauley, iVlice, Carissa, 
Osenia and Jjeslie. In JIarch, 1896, Peter li. 
Hough coui|)osed the words and music to the 
liyuMi, "Beautiful City." He died March 4, 
1907, aged 71 vears. (()) Francis, jjorn A])ril 
18, 1814 and died Feb. 4, 1894. He married 
Miss Catherine Clark. Their children were 
Frank, Eliza and Lester. (7) Catherine, born 
July 19, 1815 and died Marcli 14, 1861. She 
married Richard Hinkle. Their children were 
Seanea, ilaria, Phebe, Mary J., Isaac, John and 
S(e]ihen. (8) Elizabeth, 'born Jan: 8, 1817 
and died Sept. 12, 1817. (9) Isaac, born Feb. 
21, 1818 and died Sept, 24. 1819. (10) Phebe, 
born April 12, 1819 and died Dec. 28, 1898. 
She married Daniel Winfield. Their children 
were Deborah, James, Rebecca, Benjamin, 
David and Edward. (11) Rebecca, born Mav 
20, 1820 and died -June 27, 1900, She mar- 
ried Anthony Peters. Their children were 
Clarissa and Enuiia. (12) Thomas, born Feb. 
11, 1822 and died .Jan. 3. 1899. He juarried 
Miss Maria Miller. Their children were Aus- 
tin, Watson, Ella, Frank, Jason, Addie and 
Esther. (13) Jacob, Iwrn Sept. 23, 1823 and 
died .\i>ril 4, 1824. (14) Seanea, born Feb. 
13, 1825 and died April 22, 1910. She married 
Benjamin F. Rifenliary (father of Mrs. Ro- 
zelle). Their children appear above. (15) 
Mary, born July 6, 1826 and died March lO, 
1872. She never married. (16) Samuel, born 
June 31, 1828 and died Am^. 9, 1895. He mar- 
ried J\liss .Jane DeWitt. Their children were 
Laura, Ella, Gussie, Carrie, Maggie, Austin and ■ 
Ernest. (17) Ilenrv, born April 23, 1829 ami 
died .hm. 16, 1890. He married Miss Adelia 
Heller. They had one daughter, Florence. (18) 
.Jacob I).. Iioni .Vi)ril 9, 1831 and died Jan. 2, 
19(17. Tie married Miss Elizabeth Roloson. 
Their (liildrcn were Edward, Charles, Jjizzie 
and Alice. 

jMr. and ]\Irs. TInugli have had sevenly-fivc 
grandchildren, 

LEWIS R. ROZELLE 

:\[r. Rozelle was born March 23, 1878 on the 
farm now owned by Giles B. Rozelle. near 
ScJudtzville. He is a son of Anizi and Sarah 
(Leonard) Rozelle. 

Lewis Rozelle attended the Schultzville 



HISTORY OF NEWTO,N TOWNSHIP 



147 



school until nineteen years of age. He lived 
with his father until twenty-four years old. 
Then he hired out liy the month. He was mar- 
ried Dec. 6, 1911 to ]Miss Eva M., daughter of 
li. .1. and Elizabeth (Huntsman) Glancey of 
Scrautou. She wa.s liorn Dec. 30, 1890. ' He 
moved to his father's farm, Jan. 6, 1912, where 
lie has lived since his father's death. 

Amzi Rozelle was born July 26, 1842 in 
Schultzville oji the farm now owned by Charles 
Kresge, and died March 11, 1912. ' He was 
married June 24, 1866 to Miss Sarah, daughter 
of .John and Caroline (Ostrander) Leonard of 



bert S. Lewis, who came to Newton in March, 
1856. Washington Ruger lived in Bingham- 
ton, N. Y., and Avas a first-class artist, his pic- 
tures adorning many homes in Newton. He 
had three children, Emma, who died w^hen 
about three years old : Robert L. and May E. 
(b. Ajjril 14, 1868) wife of Hayden Hoover 
of Clark's Summit. 

Robert L. Ruger was married May 19, 1879 to 
Miss Elizabeth M., daughter of James E. Beebe 
of Binghamton, N. Y. Nine children were 
born to this union, but the five oldest died in 
earlv life: Albert, born March 2, 1881 and died 




RKSIDBNCE OF LE\A'IS It. UOZELLB 



\^'est ^'Vbington township. She was born April 
:•>, 1846 and died July 21, 1895. 

]\ir. and Mrs. Rozelle were the parents of five 
(liildren, namely: (1) Gertie, died several years 
ago. (2) Alice, married Alonzo L. Newhart. 
She died Jan 30, 1910. (3) Carrie, married 
Oscar Britton of Newton. (4) Effie, married 
Charles Fahs. He died October 4, 1908. (5) 
Lewis, the subject of this sketch. 

Amzi Rozelle wa> a son of Israel and Esther 
(Britton) Rozelle. He was honest and in- 
dusli'ious. His entire life was devoted to farm- 
ing, and always lived in Schultzville. 

ROBERT L. RUGER. 

lloberl L. Ruger is a son of Washington and 
Lydia A. (Lewis) Ruger, and grandson of Ro- 



.Vug. 7, 1888; Bennie, born Feb. 26, 1883 and 
died July 20, 1888; Amy F. born Sept. 23, 
1SS4 nnd died Jan. 21, ]886; Jav, born Oct. 23, 
ISN.S :ind died Oct. 11. 1902: Ruth B., l)orn 
Oct. 22, 1S9() and died .\pril 8, 1904. The 
funi- living are Lydia .\. Helen M., I'^leainir .M. 
ami Alice. 

MRS. ELIZABETH SAXE 

Mrs. Saxe is the lliird of five cliildi'en of -John 
and Mary (Raeder) Beck. John Beck was 
born in Saxony, Germany, May 10, 1815, and 
came to this country when about fifteen years 
old. He devoted much of his time in traveling 
over a large portion of the Ignited States unlil 
al.)ont thirty years old, when he came to Ran- 
som, Pa., where he s(.ion niarried. Here he 



148 



HISTORY OF NEWTOiN TOWNSHIP 



conducted a wagon shop for about fifteen years. 
About 1860, he bought a farm in Newton town- 
ship, from Daniel W. Richards (now owned by 
his daughter, Mrs. Saxe), where he hved until a 
short time before his death. He died at the 
home of his daughter, Mrs. Saxe, in Ransom, 
Feb. 19, 1895. His wife died on the farm in 
Newton township, July 24, 1888. 

WILLIAM S. SEESE 

Mr. Seese was born in Monroe comity and 
is a son of William P. and Emiline (Price) 
Seese, who were the parents of thirteen chil- 
dren. Eight are living at this writing; Albert, 
William, George, Charles, Peter, Anna (Mrs. 
Chas. Dubler), Edward and Clinton. 

William S. Seese worked several years in the 
lumber woods in West A'^irginia and Pennsylva- 
nia, and later worked in a stoue quarry for two 
or three years. Since April, 1906 he has been 
working on a farm in Newton for ihrson Van 
Campen. He was married on Christmas, Dec. 
25, 1890 to Miss Margaret A., daughter of Ferd- 
inand and Sarah (Sebring) Teel of Monroe 
county, who have eight children: Clarence, 
Samuel, Margaret (Mrs. Wm. S. Seese), Ida 
(Mrs. j-Vndrew Betcheloff) Edward, George, 
Martha (Mrs. Wm. Tripp) and Emmet. 

Mr. and Mrs. Seese have seven children liv- 
ing. One son, Ehas, died Oct. 17, 1898, aged 
six years (See Directory). 

JOHJ^ SHOOK 

The Shocks formerly came from Germany. 

Mr. and Mrs. John Shook have three chil- 
dren, namely: 

David A., born Aug. 30, 1866, and was mar- 
ried Oct. 4, 1887 to"" Miss Mary E. Smith, a 
daughter of Noah P. and Catherine (.Jacoby) 
Smith. Mr. and Mrs. Shook have one daugh- 
ter, Leota E., born Dec. 9, 1900. 

Catherine Elizabeth, born Oct. 14, 1871, and 
was married Oct. 31, 1893 to Edwm Snover, 
son of George and Mavj (Kresge) Snover. Ed- 
win Snover and wife are working Mr. Shock's 
farm. They have one daughter, Beatrice M., 
born Sept. 20, 1907. 

Emma, was born May 4, 1878 and was mar- 
ried May 3, 1902 to William Harder of Ran- 
som. 

John Shook is a dealer in farm implements. 

David Shook, the father of John, born in 
Monroe coimty, Oct. 23, 1809 and died in 
Newton township April 23, 1899. He was 
married Nov. 29, 1835, to Miss Catherine Kintz, 
who was born Feb. 14, 1816 and died Aug. 25, 
1893. She was a daughter of Milton Kintz. 
David Shook came to Newton in 1837 and pur- 
chased the farm now owned by his son, .John 
Shook, The winter of 1837 will be remember- 



ed for years, as the long winter; the ground 
freezing up on the 8th of November and not 
thawing out imtil the next spring. 

Mr. and Mrs. David Shook were the parents 
of three children : Lucy, born Nov. 8, 1837 and 
married Christian Kunsmann, and are living in 
Tunkhannock. They have two children liv- 
ing: Matilda aritl Ida. One son died in in- 
fancy. Henry, born May 10, 1840 and died in 
Danville in Sept., 1909. He was never married. 
.John, born Dec. 27, 1841, and was married 
Aug. 22, 1863 to Miss Maria Swartwood, daugh- 
ter of Alexander and Elizabeth (Sickler) Swart- 
wood of Wyoming county. 

FRANK A. SLATE 

Mr. Slate is the only son of Alfred T. (b. 
Aug. 29, 1830— d. June 6, 1903) and Susanna 
(Kunsman) (b. Aug. 6, 1839— d. March 23, 
1910) Slate. One daughter died in infancy. 

Frank A., like his father, has always lived on 
the old homestead. He received a common 
school education. He has been a successful 
farmer, and keeps a dairy of about twentj^ cows, 
selling the milk to a Scranton dealer. He also 
hauls milk for his neighbors. 

Mr. Slate was married Dec. 7, 1895 to Miss 
Ida M., daughter of Harrington and Amanda 
(Hunter) Dunlap. They have one daughter, 
Naomi A., born Oct. 12, 1901. 

Adam Slate, the grandfather of Frank A., 
was one of early settlers of Newton, moving 
here from Northampton county in 1837 with 
his wife and two sons, Levi and Alfred T., and 
one daughter, Ellen. Another daughter, Cath- 
erine, was born soon after they came to Newton. 
Pie built a log house, which is standing at this 
writing, and cleared the farm, where he en- 
dured the hardships of pioneer life and died 
about eight years later. After his death the 
two boys remained on the farm, and finished 
clearing the land, and in 1892 built a large 
frame house to replace the old log cabin. Al- 
fred T. was married Oct. 20, 1859 to Susanna 
C. Kunsman. 

CURTIS P. SMITH 

is a son of Elias A. and Ann J. (McGeever) 
Smith, and a grandson of Elias, the first settler 
of the Smith family in Newton township. 

Mr. Smith was married Nov. 20, 1894 to 
Miss Margaret (Johns) Jones, Mr. and Mrs. 
Smith have one son, Ralph M., born Sept. 2, 
1898. Three other children died in infancy. 

Elias A. Smith, a son of Elias, born March 
27, 1827, on the farm settled by his father. Plis 
wife, Ann J. McGeever, born in August, 1842 
in Liverpool, England. To this union six chil- 
dren were born, viz.: (1) George F., residing 
near Mill City, was bom July 20, 1857, and 




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HISTORY OF NEWTO,N TOWNSHIP 



151 



married Miss Clara Course. ' She died Aug. 30, 
1907. (2) Melvin, born Oct. 9, 1859 and died 
Nov. 7, 1862. (3) Curtis P., born July 23, 
1863. (4) Bertha E., bom March 22, '1866 
and married Horace B. Ross. Thej^ are living 
at 1918 Price Street, Scranton. (5) William 
H., born Aug. 9, 1869. (6) Elias J., born 
Sept. 17, 1875. William and EUas are living 
in Newton. 

Elias A. Smith remained home with his 
father; he was a man of great energy and in- 
dustry. He took a contract to deliver 100,- 
000 feet of hemlock lumber in Wilkes-Barre at 
$4.00 per thousand feet. This lumber was 
sawed in the first mill (the slow-up-and-down 
type) erected by his father, and was hauled to 
Ransom, a distance of six miles, thence rafted 
on the river from Ransom to Wilkes-Barre. 
The $400 received for the lumber was applied 
on the debt against his father's farm, which was 
about to be sold. 

■ He was sober, honest and upright; always 
ready to help a friend in need. He accumulat- 
ed a large property, and at the time of his death 
owned about 470 acres of land, a store properly 
on West Lackawanna Avenue in Scranton, val- 
ued at $9,000, and a double house on Price 
Street, Scranton, and about $3,000 worth of 
lumber and personal property. Mr. Smith in- 
herited 206 acres of land from his father. This 
same tract is now owned by his heirs, 102 acre? 
being owned by his son, Curtis P. Smith. 

ELIAS J. SMITH 

Mr. Smith was l)oni in Newton township. 
Sept. 17, 1875, being the youngest son of Elias 
A. and Ann (McGeever) Smith. He was mar- 
ried Nov. 24, 1893 to Miss Carrie Roeszler, 
daughter of John and IMargaret (Lore) Roesz- 
ler of Ransom township. 

Mr. Smith worked for his father in the lum- 
ber woods during the Avinter months for several 
years, and after his father's death in 1900, he 
came in possession of the farm where he now 
lives. Nov. 6, 1907 he moved to Scranton, and 
worked for Fred Post, the drayman, for one 
year, and for .J. D. Williams & Bros, for six 
months. In June, 1909 he returned to his 
farm. 

Mrs. Smith has two brothers and three sis- 
ters living, namely: Andrew, .John, Lizzie (Mrs. 
Jacob Naugie), Rose (Mrs. Wm. Kiever), and 
Dora (Mrs. Emerson Rosenkrans). Hattie and 
Charles are not living. 

Mv. and Mrs. Smith have five children. 

WILLIAM LI. SMITIi 

Mr. Smith is a son of Elias A. Smith, and 
was born in Newton township Aug. 9, 1869. 
Mr. Smith attended school at the Cosuer school 



house until about nineteen years old. He re- 
mained home working for his father until 1900, 
when he was thirty-one years of age. He was 
married April 3, 1901 to Miss "Eva, oldest 
daughter of James and Eliza (Brown) Cooper 
of Newton. 

Mr. Smith has a farm of 123 acres, being a 
part of his father's tract. In 1904 he set out 
250 apple trees, 40 peach and 25 pear trees. 
One year later he set out 600 plum trees, which 
are beginning to bear at this writing, 1911. 
Mr. Smith had about 60 acres of fine timber 
(hemlock,- pine, chestnut and oak), and for 
nearly ten years has been in the lumber busi- 
ness; has also cut and sold several hundred 
thousand mine props. ■ 

Mrs. Smith has one .brother, Edward Cooper 
and two sisters, Anna and Laura. Anna mar- 
ried LaA^erne Johnson of Clark's Green. Laura - 
married Lance Luvender of Factoryville 

MARCUS J. SMITH 

Marcus J. Smith was born in Newton toAvn- 
ship, and a son of Willianr N. and Maeoie 
Smith. ' ^^ 

Marcus J. Smith received a common school 
education. Lie was married Dec. 6, 1896 to 
Miss Rebecca M., daughter of Frederick M. and 
Alverda (Birth) Westcott. Mrs. Smith was 
only five years old Avhen her mother died (Jan. 
1, 1887) and Mr. Smith's mother died Avhen 
he Avas nine years old. They Avere both mar- 
ried in their "teens," Mrs. Smith being only 
fifteen and Mv. Smith eighteen years of age. 
They have two children. 'After Mr. and Mi-s. 
Smith Avere married they came to his father's 
farm Avhich they Avorked for nine years. On 
Dec. 6, 1905 (their ninth Avedding annivers- 
ary), they moved to Pittston, and work being 
scarce, they moved to Scranton three month's 
later, March 1, 1906, when Mr. Smith learned 
the carpenter's trade, Avhich he has followed 
since. He returned to the old homestead in 
Newton Jan. 29, 1910. Mrs. Smith's • father 
was a soldier, enlisting in 1864, serving nine 
months until the close of the Avar. 

William N. Smith enlisted in the fall of 
1861 and served in the Civil AVar Avith Co. li, 
52nd Reg. Pa. Vol. for three years, until he 
lo^t his leg near Charleston, S. C. August 24, 
1864. He Avas a faithful soldier, and is uoav 
drawing a pension of $40.00 a month. In 1867 
he married Maggie Neary, who died May 7, 
1887. They had two children, Blanche, born 
May 24, 1876, and married in December, 1893 
to Chas. Searles, and resides in Scranton: l\lar- 
cus J., born Aug. 22, 1878. 



152 



HISTORY OF NEWTOiN TOWNSHIP 



EDWIN SNOVER 

Mr. Snover was born May 15, 1869 in iNew- 
tou toi^iiship. He is a son of George S. and 
Mary (Kresge) Snover of Mill City. He mar- 
ried Oct. 31, 1898 to Miss Elizabeth, daughter 
of John and Maria (Swartwood) Shook of New- 
ton (See John Shook). 

Mr. and Mrs. Snover have one daughter, Bea- 
trice M., born Sept. 20, 1907. 

George S. Snover^ a son of James Snover; 
born April 18, 1838 in Blairstown, New Jersey. 
He canre to Newton where he was married about 
1857 to Miss Mary, daughter of Thomas and 
Lydia (Gregory) Ivresge. (See Thonms M. 
Kresge). She was born Dec. 24, 1841 and died 
Jan. 28, 1909. 

To Mr. and Mrs. George S. Snover Avere born 
eight children, namely: (1) Mahala, born May 
3, 1859. She married H. F. Bender, and they 
are living at Falls. (2) Jane, born August 9, 
1861, who married C. S. Richards of Newton. 
(3) William PL, born July 23, 1865, and mar- 
ried Thirzah AVrigley. (4) Edwin, our sub- 
ject. (5) John S., born May 4, 1871, who 
married Jennie Weir. (6) Jesse, born May 12, 
1874, and married Cora Raif. (7) Clarence, 
born May 27, 1876, and married Ada Bedell. 
(8) Eugene, born July 19, 1881, and married 
Tempie Bedell. 

George S. Snover enlisted March 9, 1863, in 
Company B, 143d Pennsylvania Volunteers, 
and was discharged .June 20, 1865. He was a 
farmer in Newton for several years, and was 
elected school director about 1879. He married 
Mrs. Sarah Rought for his second wife. He is 
now living in Mill City. 

ARTHUR C. STEVENS 

Mr. Stevens was born in Jenningsville, Wy- 
oming county, Pa., March 18, 1884. He is 
a son of Benjamin and Lucy (Pewterbaugh) 
Stevens, to whom nine children were born : 
Nettie was the oldest and died about 1892. 
The following are living: Cynthia, maijried 
William Peters and is living in Allenhurst, Ga. 
Nora," married George Myers and is living in 
Mehoopany. Flora, married Jonah Farr and 
is also living in Allenhurst, Ga. Lucy, married 
Otis Mace and is living in Medix Run, Pa. 
Benjamin, married Marion A^andcrburg and is 
living in Edgewood, N. Y. Arthur, the sub- 
ject of this sketch. Howard, married l]niiii:i 
Parker and lives at Eldred, N. Y. Cora, llic 
youngest, married Clias. Wandall ^vll(l arc liv- 
ing in Jenningsville, Pa. 

Arthur G. Stevens was married Sejst. 24, 1903 
to Miss Esther P. Mead of Newton, daughter of 
William (b. .June 30, 1861— d. Aug. 30, 1906) . 
and Abbie (Moran) Mead. Mrs. Stevens has one 
sister (Elvira) and one brother (William) liv- 



ing. Two sisters (Myrtle and Leachen) and 
one brother (John) are dead. 

Mr. and JNIrs,. Slevens have one son, Clarence 
A., born March 10, 1908. 

WILLIAM SWEET 

Mr. Sweet was born in Somersetshire, Eng- 
land, April 23, 1877. He is a son of William 
and Elizabeth (Fear) Sweet, and a grandson of 
Sandy Sweet. 

\\^illiam Sweet, our subject, was married 
x^pril 27, 1896 to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of 
Albert and Ann (Norton) Rice of Somerset- 
shire, England. Mrs. Sweet was born Jmre 5, 
1875. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Sweet 
three children were horn, namely : Hubert, born 
Sept. 15, 1897; Gertrude M., born Feb. 10. 
1902; Margaret A., born .July 29, 1906. 

Mr. Sweet and family came to this country 
Feb. 26, 1909, sailing from England February 
17th. Pie is working for Wm. J. Biesecker of 
Newton Centre. 

]\Irs. Sweet is a sister of Mrs. Jesse Ware of 
NcAvton township. 

Mr. and Mrs. Albert Rice, the parents of Mrs. 
Sweet, are the ijarents of twelve children, all of 
whom are living, namely: Mary, Alice, Lilly, 
George, Elizabeth, Frank, Fanny, Robert, Wil- 
liam, Jime, Bessie and Kate. 

William Sweet, Sr. was born Dec. 23, 1847 
in Somersetshire, England, where he died -Jan. 
26, 1889. His wife was born Dec. 21, 1847 in 
Somersetshire, England, where she is now liv- 
ing. She was a daughter of John and Ann 
(Hembry) Fear. jNlr. and Mrs. Sweet were the 
parents of nine children: Sandy, Edwin, Ar- 
thur, Emma, AVilliam,, Mary, Albert, Gilbert 
and Mabel. Sandy and Edwin died in child- 
hood. 

ADAM THOMPSON 

Our subject is a son of Andrew and .Jane 
(Lifts) Thompson. He was born Jan. 14, 1840, 
and was married Nov. 14, 1861, to Miss Cather- 
ine E. Smith, daughter of D. Madison and Sus- 
anna Smith. She was born Dec. 7, 1841 and 
died Dec. 30, 1895. 

Mr. and Mrs. Thompson were the parents of 
four children, namelv: (1) Estella M, bom 
April 20, 1863 and died March 12, 1880. (2) 
Frank Leslie, born March 31, 1866, is living 
near Schultzville. (3) Elmer, born Feb. 1, 
1871, is married and living near Philadelphia. 
(4) Edith Gertrude, born' Oct. 20, 1881, mar- 
ried Henry Freeman and they are living in 
Benton township. They have one daughter. 
Ruth iMildred, born in November, 1902. 

Andrew Thompson, a son of Adam and 
Sarah (Cosner) Thompson, born Feb. 11, 1811, 
in New Jersey, and died October 19, 1850 



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F. I.. THOMPSON'S RESIDENCE 




F. L. THOMPSON'S BARN AND HOLSTEIN COWS 






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HISTORY OF NEWTON TOWNSHIP 



157 



in Newton. He married Feb. 22, 1834, to Miss 
Jane, daughter of Henry and Catherine (Hoyt) 
Litts of Newton. Mrs. Thompson was born 
June 16, 1817 in New Jersey and died July 
15, 1904. {See Henry Litts.) 

Mr. and MrS'. Tliompson were the parents of 
three children, all sons: Alva, born Nov. 8, 
1834, and married Miss Harriet Winters. He 
died March 19, 1890; Adam, bom Jan. 14, 
1840, the subject of this sketch; Henrv, born 
Dec. 16, 1841, married Miss Elizabeth \Swartz 
and they are living in Peckville. 

Mr. and Mrs. Thompson settled and lived on 
the farm now owned by their grandson, F. L. 
Thompson. 

Mrs. Jane Thompson or "Gran" as she was 
more conimonly called and by which title she 
was best knowi^, came to Newton with her pa- 
rents in February, 1821, when she was less than 
four years of age. In the field, which is now 
the Newton cemetery, "Gran's" father had sown 
rye, and as he owned no gim, she was sent with 
a large club to pound upon the rail fence to 
frighten the deer away from the grain. Her 
early education was received in the old log 
school-house, known as the "Morgan School- 
house," situated near where Thomas Veety's 
residence now stands. Her first teacher was 
Anthony Briggs, and the second Nancy Acker- 
ly. After the death of her husband, Mrs. 
Thompson lived in her own home, on what was 
a part of her father's farm, now owned by her 
son, Adam. 

Just below this home was a large spring, now 
drained, known as the Bear .spring, so called be- 
cause in the pioneer days Zebulon and -John 
Comstock came from Wyoming to trap bears. 
She says she remembers hearing Zebulon tell 
her father al)out bringing an old horse up for 
bait, and that they had to chop down trees to 
make a place for the trap. Six days later, 
when they returned, horse and trap had disap- 
peared, but there Ava.s a trail of blood, following 
which for about ten rods they found the trap 
and their game, a large bear. 

Adam Thompson, grandfather of our sub- 
ject, was among the first settlers of Newton. He 
came from Sussex county, New Jersey in 1819, 
and settled on the farm where George Biesecker 
is living. Here he made a clearing in the wil- 
derness and built a log-house. Later he erected 
an ashery and manufactured potash. He was a 
son of Andrew Thompson, who came from Scot- 
land. He was bom in Sussex county, New Jer- 
sey, July 18, 1786 and died in Newton Oct. 4. 
1833. His wife. Miss Sarah Cosner, was born 
•Tan. 30, 1785 and died Feb. 2,1853. 

To Adam Thompson and wife five children 
were born, namely: (1) .John, born April 26, 
1808 and inarried Miss Harriet Smith, daugh- 
ter of Elias and Harriet (Ayers) Smith. (2) 



Mina Jane, born June 21, 1811 and married 
Jacob Courtright. (3) Andrew, born Feb. 11, 
1813 and manied Miss Jane Litts. (4) Helen, 
born July 27, 1815 and married Jacob Smith. 
(5) Adam, born Feb. 17, 1822 and married 
Lydia Jane Rosenkrans, daughter of Levi and 
Rebecca (Williams) Rosenkrans. 

All were born in New Jersey except Adam, 
the youngest. 

Andrew Thompson, the great grandfather 
of our subject, was born in Scotland, and later 
came to this country settling in New -Jersey. He 

married Miss Margaret , by whom he 

had five children : Adam, born Dec. 11, 1777 
and died in infancy ; Anne, born June 27, 
1781 ; Jennet, born May 22, 1783 ; Adam, born 
July 18, 1786; Andrew, born July 24, 1788. 

The above names and dates were copied from 
an old Scotch Bible which Andrew Thompson 
brought from Scotland. On the cover is writ- 
ten : "Andrew Thompson. His Book. Anno 
Domini, 1761." 

F. L. THOMPSON 

F. Leslie Thompson was born March 31, 
1867 on the old Thompson homestead where 
he now resides. He is the oldest son of Adam 
and Catherine (Smith) Thompson, and great- 
grandson of Adam Thompson, one of the Pio- 
neer settlers in Newton, who came from Scot- 
land and settled in 1819 on the farm where Geo. 
Biesecker now lives, near Newton Centre. 

j\Ir. Thompson graduated from Kevstone 
Academy in 1889. On the 13th of March, 
1890 he purchased his father's farm where he 
has since resided. Pie taught several terms of 
school in Newton township, three terms at Glen- 
Ijurn, and was principal of the Dalton High 
School for three terms. He M-as married Mar. 
31st, 1891 to Miss Agnes Belle White of New- 
ton. To this union four children were born: 
Howard, Maurice, Roy and Robert. Howard 
died when eight j^ara of age and Roy died 
when fourteen month old. 

In 1907, ]Mr. Thomp.son tore down the old 
barn erected l)y his grandfather, Andrew 
ThomjDson, and erected a large modern struc- 
ture, 40x56 feet, with a concrete basement, 
equipped with rimniiig water and the latest 
improvements for extensive dairying. He is 
an up-to-date dairyman, truck farmer and hor- 
ticidturist; having a fine large apple orchard. 
He also produces large quantities of fine timo- 
thy hay for the local market. 

Up to the year 1910, Mr. Thom]ison had 
been living in the old frame house erected by 
his grandfather in 1844. During 1910, he had 
the old house torn down and built a fine twelve- 
room residence across the road from it. 

Mr. Thompson is .secretary of the I^acka- 



158 



HISTORY OF NEWTOiN TOWNSHIP 



wanna County Agriculture Sot-iely; secretary 
(if the Lackawanna, County Fair and ({range 
ronllry Ai^sociation ; secretary of Lackawanna 
I'oiuona Grange, which ofHce he has lield for 
about live years. He is, also, secretary of New- 
ton Grange No. 251, and Third Vice-President 
of Lackawanna County Horticultural Society. 

ANSON HENRY VAN CAMPEN 

Mr. VanCampen was Ijom near Falls, Pa., 
and is the youngest of six children, of Henry 
(1818-1883') and Phoebe (Bennett) (1829- 
1876) Va.nCanipen. 

Anson "\^anCanipen has only one brother 
and one sister living, Lester of Clark's Summit, 
and Mrs. John Kresge of West Pittston. Tavo 



keeps a dairy of twenty cows and sells his milk 
to Scranton dealers. He also raises garden 
(ruck which he .sells in Scranton. 

Mr. \'an Campen was married March 28. 
1893 to Miss Ida J., the oldest daughter of El- 
nathan and Nancy (Robinson) Johnson of Dal- 
lon. Mr. and Mrs. Van Campen have two 
(laughters living, Mabel and Orla. One daugh- 
ter. Ruth P., b(irn June 20, 1896 and died July 
31, 1909. 

HORTON B. VAUGHN 

Mr. Vaughn was liorn at Sciotavale, Sullivan 
county. Pa., April 17, 1863. He was the old- 
est son of Benjamhi R. and Sybil P. Vaughn. 

ITorton B. Vaughn received a common school 



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RESIDENCE OF HORTON B. VAUGHN 



brothers, Amzi and Theron, and one sister, Mrs. 
Emorgene Kresge, have been dead for several 
years." Mr. A'anCampen received a common 
school education, and when sixteen years of age 
came to Newton townshi]) where he worked for 
John Kresge, his brother-in-laAV, for nearly two 
years. In 1885 he began working at the Hill- 
side Home, where he remained for nearly seven 
years, leaving the Home in June, 1892, going 
to Old Forge, where he held the position of 
barn boss Avitli the Council Coal Company tor 
ten years until they sold out to the Lehigh Val- 
ley Coal Company. Here he continued work- 
ing four years longer. 

While at Old Forge Mr. VanCampen was 
elected School Director for two terms, and 
served as treasurer of the board for two years. 
In March, 1906 he came hack to Newton and 
rented the farm where he now reside:-. lie 



education, and Avhen about twenty-tAvo j^ears 
of age Aveat to Avork in the lumber avoo(Is in 
Tioga coimty. Pa., Avhere he Avorked until tlie 
fall of 1893, AA'hen he returned to SulliviUi 
county. In 1898 he entered the coal mines at 
Bernice, Avorking there for six years. Mr. 
Vaughn moved to his present home in NcAvton 
toAA'uship (part of the Peter Sutton farm) in 
1904, and since then lias been engaged in 
farming. Mr. Vaughn Avas married June 7, 
1890 to i\liss Elizabeth Holmes, the oldest 
daughter of LcAvis and Mary (Green) Holmes. 
(See Jolin G. Holmes). Mrs. Vaughn Avas 
born in Cherry toAvnship, Sullivan county, Pa., 
May 18, 1856. She taught elcA-en lerms of 
school, teaching her first tcim when seventeen 
years of age "and continued teaching until 
tAventy-seven years old. 

Mr. and Mrs. Vaugiui have Iavo diildren. 



HISTORY OF NEWTO.N TOWNSHIP 



15% 



namely: Claud B., born Juno 28, 1891, and 
Ella W., bom May 2, 1897. Both are living 
at home 

Benjamin R. Vaughn was a son of William 
L. and Martha (Ross) A^aughn and was born 
Sept. 1, 1832 in Vermont, moving to Sullivan 
county with his parents when four years of 
age. He was married April 17, 1862 to Miss 
Sybil P. Redfield, who was born in Chemung 
county, N. Y., Oct. 25, 1842 and was a daugh- 
ter of Levi Redfield. 

Captain John Geeen, grandfather of Mrs. 
Vaughn, was captured during the Revolution 
by the English and confined in Mill Pris- 
on in England. Later he was paroled and sent 
to France, whence still later he brought to this 



owned by the State and not by the U. S. Gov- 
ernment. -^ 

Mrs. Vaughn's grandfather, John Sims 
Green, fought in the War of 1812, being a 
member of the State Fencibles, a crack regi- 
ment of Philadelphia. 

PETER P. VOSBURG 
Peter P. A^osburg attended the graded school 
at Wyoming and nearly one term at Blooms- 
burg, and from there was taken to the hospital 
where he underwent an operation. He was 
married Dec. 24, 1896 to Miss Maye, daughter 
of Joseph and Susan (Kern) Kircher. (Sec 
Edward A. Kern). They have one daughter, 
.\lta Mae. bom Aug. 21, 1909. 




p. p. VOSBURG'S RESIDENCE 



county the "Due du Lausan," a French battle- 
ship, purchased from the French Government, 
which he later named the "Empress of China." 

In 1784, Capt. Green, having left the navy 
to engage in private business, first carried the 
American flag in Chinese waters on the ship, 
the "Empress of China." Upon returning from 
this voyage he brought the first set of china- 
ware imported direct from China, and also the 
first Shanghai chickens. Dr. Harvey of Phila- 
delphia is the proud owner of three pieces of 
the chinaware. 

Capt. Green was one of the founders of the 
"Society of the Cincinnati," and both Captain 
Green and Captain Craig were charter members. 
The "Sons of the Cincinnati" is one of the old- 
est organizations in this country. 

Mrs. Vaughn is also a descendant of Capt. 
James Craig, Jr. of the Pennsylvania navy. 
Before the Revolutionary War the navv was 



In 1897 he purchased the middle tract of the 
old Kern homestead where he now lives. Mr. 
A'osburg is an extensive grower of potatoes, hav- 
ing jjurchased all up-to-date machinery for 
planting, cultivating and harvesting the crop, 
producing from 1000 to 2000 bushels a year. 
He i^roduces different kinds of vegetables which 
he sells in Scranton. He is also much interest- 
ed in the modern methods of growing fruit un- 
der scientific principles. 

Mr. A^osburg is equipping his home with hot 
and cold water, bath and modern imi^rovements. 
He is installing an acetylene gas plant. 

Mr. A^osburg's parents moved to North Caro- 
lina in 1888, where he lived seven years. Lie 
was born Aug. 31, 1873. Mrs. A^osburg was 
born Oct. 7, 1874. Mr. A^osburg is a srai of 
Joseph B. A^osburg. 

Jos. B. VoSBURG enlisted in the army when 
j'oung and lost his left arm in tlic Battle of the 



160 



HISTORY OF NEWTO.N TOWNSHIP 



WildtTiioss. 



Since his marriage in 
has hved in Ihirteen different stales. 



1S67 he 
He was 

l)()rn April 13, 184.1 and died Feb. 13, 1904. 
He niarrie<l Miss Margaret A. Parri.sli. They 
were the parents of seven children, namely: 
George Corey, who is living in Lineohi, Del. ; 
Susie, wlio died in 1877; Mrs. Dora Sutton of 
Tjincoln, Del. ; Peter P. of Newton township : 
William P. of Lincoln, Del.; Mrs. Anna Faux 
and Mrs. Rita Leach of Wyoming, Pa. 

SAMUEL WALTER 

Mr. Walter was born March 11, 1854 in a 
log house. on the farm where he is now living, 
and where he has always lived except about one 
year. He is a son of John and Sarah ( Rough t) 



farm with his mother. He buil( all the build- 
ings now standing on the place. 

.Mr. and iMrs. Walter have six children, five 
sons and one daughter. All are living at home. 

Henry and Catherine Walter, grandpar- 
ents of Sanuvel AValter, came to Newton about 
1832 and settled on the farm owned by Chas. H. 
Koerner, having a family of fourteen children. 
Ho had only six sheep, a farrow cow and three 
cents in money, but was saving and industrious 
and when he died owned over 200 acres of land. 

JOHN EDWARD WARD 
Mr. AVard was born in Tunkhannock Aug. 
12, 1857, and is a son of John J. and Ilannah 
M. Ward. 




RESIDENCE OP .J. B. WARD 



Walter, being one 
dren, only five are 
wife of William 
Mill: Hila .Vnn, 
Scran ton ; Susan, 
New! on ; Rebecca, 
in Sugar Notch, 
this sketcli. 

Samuel Walter 
to Miss Elizabeth, 



of a family of thirteen chil- 
lix'ing at this writing: Mary, 
(iruver, living near Miner's 
wife of .John Huntzman of 
wife of Judson Roaenkrans of 
wife of John Stout, and lives 
and Samuel, the subject of 



was married Jan. 18, 1875 
the oldest daughter of Wil- 
liam and Elizabeth (Rupp) Scherer, who were 
the parents of thirteen children, seven of whom 
are living: Christina, wife of Charles Blackwell 
of Ransom; William, who is living at Taylor; 
Jacob and Anna have never married and are 
living together in Taylor; Mary, wife of Wm. 
Davis of Taylor: Yety, wife of .Tesse Thompson, 
liviu';- in Newton. 

Samuel Walter was only thirteen years of 
age when his father died. He i-eniained on the 



John Edward Ward was married Aug. 16, 
1894 to Miss ]Minnie E. LaRue, daughter of 
Daniel W. and Abigail (Warren) LaRue. (See 
\V. K. LaRue). Mr. and Mrs. Ward are bless- 
ed with two sons: John D., born June 16, 1895 
and Charlie E., born May 3, 1903. 

John J. Ward, born in Duchess county, N. 
Y., Aug. 4, 1833 and died in Newton Aug. 11, 
1885. 'He married Miss Hannah M. JMu'llisf>n 
who was born July 24, 1831 near Tunkhannock 
and died in Newton March 6, 1908. He M^as a 
soldier in the Civil War, enlisting in June, 1864, 
serving eleven months in Co. K, 203 Reg. Pa. 
XiA. ^^'as also a sharpshooter. After contract- 
ing ty])hoid fever, he was discharged July 3, 
18(55, He was a moulder by trade and worked 
about seven years in Gerhart's Foundry at 
Tunkhannock. He moved from Tunhannock 
to Scrauton in j\pril, 1861, and to Old Forge 



HISTORY OF NEWTON TOWNSHIP 



161 



about 186S, and five years later came to Newton. 
Mr. and Mrs. John .J. \\"ard were the parent.* 
of four children, namely: Flora, John Edward, 
Bertha and Ernest R. Flora is a waitress at 
the Keystone Academy: Bertha, born July 23, 
1863 and died Sept/ 21, 1886; Ernest, 'born 
in Old Forge. Aug. 4, 1869. and was married 
Noy. 28, 1894 to ]\Iiss Anna Van Buskirk. They 
are hying in Newton. 

JESSE AVARE 

Je>.'^e ^^^arc was born in Somerset county, 
I'^ngland, Feb. 28, 1871, and came to this coun- 
try \\-hen about seycnteen years old. He is the 
."^on of Thomas and Salena Ware, who liye in 
England and ha^■e fiye children, three sons and 
two daughters: Frederick, Je.-^se, Ernest E., Mrs. 
Emma White and Mrs. Darcas Carey. 

•Jesse Ware had only 75 cents when he came 
from England. He worked in mines in Scran- 
ton for two years, after which he hired out to 
Freeman Leach at Cliinchilla, where he worked 
five years. He returned to England Dec. 11. 
1895, where he was married to ]\Iiss Alice Rice, 
March 10, 1896. He returned to this comitry 
with his wife, ]March 25, the same year. He 
])urchased the farm where he now liyes of David 
Kern in April, 1906. Mr. Ware, with his Avifo 
and son, made another trip to England Dec. 3. 
1908, returning three months later. 

To the union of Mr. and Mrs. "Ware four 
children were born, namely, Arthur J.. l)orn 
March 9, 1898 and died four months later; 
Walter J., born Aug. 7, 1899 and died in Sep- 
tember, the same year: Floyd -I., born -Tune 28. 
1903 : Leta, born Dec. 6, 1910. 

JAMES M. WHITE 

Mr. White is the son of Jolin (born in Scot- 
land in April, 1834 and killed in Colorado in 
1876) and Ehzabeth (Thompson) White, to 
whom seven- children were born, five of whom 
are living: xVnna (Mrs. Henry Burrough) 
Jolin, .James, Robert and Agnes (Mrs. Leslie 
Thompson). 

.James White was only nine 3'ears old when 
his father was killed. Then he began living 
with .John Coon, where he lived until twenty- 
one years of age. He was married Dec. 27. 
1887, to Miss Edith P.. daughter of Harry 
(1822-1905) and Lucy (Snover) Smith of 
Newton township. 

In 1911 j\Ir. "\A^hite purchased and moved to 
the farm where he now resides. He was elected 
school director for one term, and in February. 
1900 was elected tax collector, serving for six 
years. In 1906 he was elected supervisor and 
sei"yed two years, 



jMrs. White has three brothers and three sis- 
ters living: ^Irs. jMaggie Sarles, Ziba S., Sey- 
mour, Marilla (Mrs. Paul Heidt), Harry and 
Alice (Mrs. AVm. Langenbach) . Two brothers 
died in infancy. 

Mr. and Mrs. White ha\'e one son, J. Van 
Noy, born Feb. 3, 1895. 

HORACE AVILLTAMS 

Mr. AAalliams Avas born in Ransom tdwnshiii, 
Feb. 22, 1846, and was the son of James and 
Anna (Roloson) AA^illiams, who were the par- 
ents of twelve children : Perry, Isaiah, Lydia, 
Maria, Britton, Catherine, Eveline, Harriet, 
Andrew, Sarah, Amanda and Plorace. Only 
three are now living: Harriet, married Benj. 
Relph. and lives in Dalton; Amanda, married 
Jepthie Dady and lives in Bradford county; 
and Horace. 

Horace AA^illiams was married Jan. 21, 1<S74 
to Miss Mallie Milhgan, the .'^ixth child (jf Tho- 
mas and Elizaljeth (Lacoe) Milligan. To them 
three children were born : Frances, bovn Ma\' 

23, 1874, who married Herman Aloser P\b. 20. 
1895, and are now living in Scranton. Eugene 
was born Jan. 21, 1879 and died July 12, 1880. 
Almeda was born Sept. 6, 1881 and died July 
20, 1883. 

DANIEL AA^NTERS 

Mr. AA^inters was born Dec. 15, 1880 in .Alil- 
waukie. He has been employed as blacksnuth 
at the Hillside Home since April 4, 1904. He 
is a son of Manley and Alinnie (Ace) AVinters. 
He was married Sept. 18, 1907 to Miss Belle, 
daughter of Solomon and Amelda (Decker) 
Avery of ilill City. She was born Feb. 24, 
1886' near Mill City. 

JMr. and i\Irs. AA^inters have two children, one 
son and a daughter, namely: Harold AA''., born 
Aug. 13. 1908 and Gwendolin A., born Sept. 

24, 1910. 

Manley AA^inters, born in 1847 in Milwau- 
kie and died June 27, 1905 at Square Top, Falls 
township. He married Miss Minnie, daughter 
of Adam Ace. She died -July 4. 1902. They 
had four children, namely: (1) Charles H.. 
married Miss Dora Cook. He is a blacksmith 
at Square Top. (2) AA^esley A., married Miss 
Mary Fahs. He is a blacksmith at Schultz- 
ville. (3) Daniel, the subject of our .sketch. 
(4) Bertha, married John Butterfield. They 
live in Schultzville. 

Solomon Avery, born ^lay 26, 1859 near 
Mill City. He married Miss Amelda, daughter 
of Isaac and Eliza (AVilliams) Decker. She 
Avas born May 3, 1862 and died Sept. 25, 1893. 
They had two children : Andy L., born May 



162 



I-IISTORY OF NEWTO,N TOWNSHIP 



12, 1884 and married Miss Lena Sonsky; Belle, 
hnrn Feb. 24, 1886, the wife of Mr. Winters. 



PETER C. WINTER 

Mv. Winter was born Feb. 9, 1863 in the 
hou!-e where he is livinji;, and is a son of Merritt 
and Jane (Thompson) Winter. He attended 
the Newton school until abont twenty years of 
ai»o. In .Time, 1884 he went West where he 
spent several nmnths visitins;' in Illinois, Iowa 
and Dakota. 

Mr. Winter \vas niarrit'd April 25, 1888 lo 
Miss Georgia A., dau.nhter of Mortimer and 
Lousia (Hoover) Fnlkerson of Wayne county. 



Peter and Elizabeth (Courtright) Winter. Peter 
^^'inter was born in 1785 in Belvidere, New Jer- 
sey, and came to Pittston in 1807 where he set- 
tled on a farm and conducted a blacksmith 
shop. He served his township as Justice-of-the- 
Peace for fifty years. In 1850 he was elected 
Commissioner of Luzerne county. He was re- 
s])ected by all, and lived and died a good Chris- 
tian. He died Feb. 27, 1872. His family con- 
sisted of six children, namely: Polly, Haines, 
Harriet, Merritt, Eliza and Ziba. IMerritt Win- 
ter was married Feb. 13, 1848 to Miss Jane, 
daughter of Isaac and Mary (Wilcox) Thomp- 
son Of Pittston. Mrs. Winter was born August 
7. 1820 and died March 4, 1895. Mr. and 




p. C. WINTER AND HIS RESIDENCE 



Mrs. Winter was born June 22, 1870 in Moosic. 

jMortimkk Fulkeksu^' was born May 12, 
1822 in Pleasant jNIount township, Wayne 
county, and died Sept. 16, 1905. He was mar- 
ried in 1862 to Miss Louisa, daughter of Mi- 
chael and Maria (Lampman) Hoover. ilrs. 
Fnlkerson was born Sept. 3, 1842 and died June 
22, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Fulkerst)n were the 
parents of four children: \^irginia, Isabelle, 
(Georgia, and Harvey. Virginia and Isabell 
died in infancy. Harvey rnariied Miss Dora 
Allen who died June 21, 1901, leaving two 
small children, Hattie and Belva. They are 
living in Wayne county. The Fulkerson's are 
of French descent. 

Merritt Winter was born May 1, 1818 at 
Inkerman and died Jan. 18, 1899 on the farm 
now owned by his son, Peter. He was a son of 



Mrs. Merritt Winter were the parents of ten chil- 
dren, namely: Joannah, Alva, Alonzo, James, 
Edson, Melisa, Emma, Jennie, Peter and 
Claude. Only four are living: Alva, James 
Ennna and Peter. 

Isaac TiioiNirsoN, the maternal grandfather 
of our subject, Avas born near Pittston, Nov. 18, 
1796, his parents moving to that place from 
Philadelphia about 1770. In June, 1818 he 
was married to Miss Maria Wilcox whose par- 
ents were among the first settlers. At the time 
of the Wyoming Massacre they escaped to Duch- 
ess county, N. Y., where they remained until 
after the Revolutionary War, when they re- 
turned to their ruined homes. Mr. Thompson 
died in October, 1900, aged 104 years. He had 
a family of fifteen children. 



HISTORY OF NEWTO,N TOWNSHIP 



16c 



REV. WALLACE CLIFTON WOLCOTT 

Rev. W. C. AVolcott was born in Delphi, 
Onondaga county, N. Y., May 19, 1875. In 
1886 he moved with his parents' to Cortland, 
N. Y., where he lived for nineteen years. Dur- 
ing this period of his life he attended the State- 
Normal School at Cortland, took a business 
course in the Cortland Business College and 
spent a few years as clerk and bookkeeper. 

In 1904 he was granted his first license to 
jn-each, and took his firs,t charge, Fleming- 
ville, N. Y. He afterwards spent nearly two 
years at AYyoming Seminary and has taken 
some work with the University of Cliicago. IMr. 
Wolcott was appointed to the Bald Alount 
charge at the session of the Wyoming Confer- 



Flemingville, N. Y., 1904; Old Forge, 1906 
Eatonville, 1907; Mehoopany, 1908-1911; Bald 
Mount, 1912. 

MRS. CATHERINE McNAY 

Mrs. ^IcNay was bom in Ireland Nov. 27, 
]8o8, aiad came to this country in 1860. She 
is a daughter of John and Alargaret (Conners) 
Connors. She was married in 1864 to James 
jNIcNay, who died about 1880. Mr. and Mrs. 
^Ic.Nay were the parents of four children, three 
sons and one daughter, namely: John, -James, 
Thomas and Margaret. James died in Febru- 
ary. 1887. Alar-garet married Thomas McDon- 
ald and is living in Scranton. Thomas is living 
with his UKitlier. working the farm recently pur- 




RESIDENCE ON THE FARM OWNED BY THOMAS McDONALD 

Better known as the Theodore Stone Farm, which was settled in 1S03 by 
Barronet Rodney. Built about 1855 by Theodore Stone. 



ence held in Elm Park church, Scranton. in 
March, 1912. 

On May 18, 1898, he was married to Miss 
Anna Belle Snyder of Ithaca, N. Y. She was 
born in Tompkins county, N. Y., May 19, 1875 
(the same day as her husband). She attended 
the Cortland JSformal School, and taught in the 
Tompkins county schools for five years. Pre- 
vious to her normal course she attended the 
Ithaca High School. 

Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Wolcott; a son, Harold, born March 21, 1907, 
and a daughter, Mildred, born April 14, .1911. 

Mr. Wolcott has served the following charges : 



chased by Thomas McDonald. 

Thomas McDonald was born March 20, 
1875, in Dunmore, where he lived until eigh- 
teen years of age. Then he went to Scranton, 
where he worked for M. J. Bird, proprietor of 
the Globe Hotel, for one year. After that time 
he was employed for thirteen years by P. -J. Con- 
way, proprietor of the Ariel Hotel. On the 21st 
day of September, 1908. Mr. McDonald pur- 
chased the Armory Hotel, at 919 Washington 
Avenue, where he now lives. He purchased the 
Theodore Stone farm in NcAvton township. Jan. 
27, 1910. Mr. McDonald was married June 17, 
1904 to Miss Margaret McNay, daughter of Mrs. 
Catherine McNay. 



IM 



HISTORY OF NEWTOiN TOWNSHIP 



CUMKTICRIKS IN NeWTOX AND RaNSOM 

The lii'st bui'yin,ti, i>,i'o;uid iu Ransoiu is lo- 
.(•aled near the Ransdui Home, on the bank of 
the river. The fir^t interment was that of 
Riehard Gardner, Jr., a son of Richard Gard- 
ner, who died March 3, 1797, aged 3 years, 1 
month and 22 days. Mrs. John Gardner is bni'- 
ried here. It was fenced in 1901 by the descend- 
ants of John Gardner, and placed in charge of 
Dial Roclc Chapter, D. A. R. 

The cemetery at the Lntlieran church near 
Ihc village of Ran.^^om, was donated in 1846, Ijy 
.hiciib and John Dersheinier. The first inter- 
ment was that of Conrad Shafer, a .soldier of the 
Uevohition, who died in 1840. The first burial 
in the cemetery at Milwaukie was that of Ar- 
thur M. Skinner, an infant .son of Daniel S. and 
Rebecca M. Skinner, who died Marcli 30. IS.'jO, 
aged 1 year, 1 month and 3 days. 

.Margaret Ann Lifts, daughter of Henry Lifts., 
died Aug. 30, 1824 and was the first per.son 
buried in the cemetery at Newton Centre. In 
the fall of the same year an infant child of 
James Williams was buried. 



Peter I^edeli, 

Peter Bedell was born in Sus,sex county. 
N.J. iVpril 9, 1803 and died in Milwaukie June 
9, 1874. He came to Newton about 1826, and 
.-ettled on the farm where Charles Finkler now 
lives. His wife was Susannah Cans, who was 
born April 9, 1801, and was nmrdered in her 
home on the night of June 28, 1876. 

Peter Bedell, when a young boy, was bound 
out to John Wyker of Wykertown, Sussex coun- 
ty, N. J., who was an applejack distiller. Young 
Bedell received a suit of clothes and $60.00 in 
money when he was twenty-one years of age. 
He purchased a yoke of .steers and worked on a 
farm in New Jersey for about two years. He 
was advised by Llenry Lifts, wdio had come to 
Newton in 1816, who gave such glowing ac- 
counts of this section, and the grand opportuni- 
ties awaiting a j'oung man, that he decided to 
move to Newton. He traded his steers -for a 



hor.se and a oue-liorse wagon, on which he load- 
ed his earthly belongings, and he and his wife 
>tarted on their journey. They purcha.sed 100 
acres from John Bell, who had about hve acres 
cleared and a log-house erected. 

Mr. Bedell paid what money he had and was 
trusted for the balance. He .sold the farm in 
1867 to Peter Finkler for $10,000. and moved 
to Milwaukie. 

Peter Bedell started in life a poor boy, with 
a limited education, but by industry and eco- 
nomy, he was worth over $46,000 when he died, 
which was made olf the farm and accunmlatcd 
interest on money loaned, aird not by s}iecula- 
tion. His Avidow received $22,000 for her share. 
She was murdered and robbed about two years 
later. 

A Change of Style 

When this old hat was new, 

The railroad was a stage; 
And a six-mule team made jilenty of steam 

For the broadest kind of gauge. 

You caught a goose when you wanted a pen, 

The ink you used was blue; 
And the women you loved didn't want to be 
men 

When this old hat was new. 

A spade was only a spade. 

And Jennie was just plain "Jane." 

For this impudent lip a boy would skip, 
At the end ot a rattan cane. 

There were sixteen ounces in every pound, 
Four quarts made a gallon true; 

But things don't seem like they use to been 
When this old hat was new. 

But we've shortened the time since then, 
And we're running a faster heat; 

And the boys of ten are full-blown men, 
Who run the store and the street. 

We blush to giggle, and we should smile; 

We're cute, and we never say die. 
We're up to snuff, and we're full of gu'.le; 

And we're just too awfully fly. 

And father is governor, old man, dad; 

And his old day is gone, 
We run things fast, and a little bad, 

Since we put this new hat on. 





Scs/e, 



MAP OF NKWTON AND RANSOM TOWNSHIPS — This map shows the location of the villages, roads, school 
districts, creeks, and the altitude of several places, which is indicated by figures, viz.: Milwaukie, 900 feet above 
sea level; Mountain Valley, 1660 ft., etc. Ransom Valley is No. 1 School, and Mount Dewey, No, 5 School. 
Ransom and Ransom Valley school districts are divided by Gardner Creek. 



CHAPTER FOURTEEN 



EARLY HISTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



Tliis towii.^hip was iiaiiied in liouur of Cap- 
tain Samuel Eaiisom, who in 1777 raised a com- 
]:)any for tlie defense of the Wyoming Valley. 
lie was killed in the Wyoming massacre, July 
;3, 1778, 

The history of liausoni township, extends far 
Ijack of its t)tHcial organization. It was formed 
from parts of Exeter and Newton, and was or- 
ganized into a township in 1849. 

•hmx Gaku.nkk, thk Pioneer Settler 

The first white inhahitant of Ransom town- 
ship was -lohn Gardner, the father of Richard 
(lardner, the first settler in Newton tow'nship. 

John Gardner came from Colchester, Conn., 
in 1769, and settled on a farm at the mouth of 
(iardner's creek (heing the farm later owned 
by .h)hn Stout, but now by the Lehigh A^'alley 
(Jiial Storage Plant), where he lived until cap- 
tured by the Indians and tories, July 1, 1778, 
(wo days before the ^^'yon^ing• Massacre. 

Before Gardner's departure he advised his 
wife to take their live children to Connecticut, 
and remain with her friends until it would be 
safe to return. He then Ijade his wife and chil- 
dren a final farewell, and soon an Indian placed 
a load upon his shoulders which he could scarce- 
ly raise, put a halter around his neck, and led 
him away as he would a beast. Mr. Gardner . 
became exhausted before reaching what is now 
Geneva, N. Y., and was given over to the 
squaws, who tortured him to death by driving 
his body full of pine sticks and setting them on 
fii-e. 

Mrs. Gardner returned with her five children 
to Connecticut. In due time she came hack to 
Hansom, and lived with her son -John, till her 
death, which occurred .August 24, 1834, being 
91 years old. She was buried in the old gr(.)und 
at Ransom. 

John and Richard Gardner settled on the 
farm purchased by their father in 1769, at the 
mouth of Gardner's creek, John continued 
working the farm, but Richard established 
Gardner's" Ferry at Ransom, which he ran fcjr 
several years. In 1803, he moved to what is 
now Newton township, being the first settler 
there. He remained here until 1807, when he 
returned to Ransom. (See page 69.) 

Thankful Gardner, daughter of John Gard- 
ner, w^as the first white child born in Ransom 
township. She was born in 1770. 



Peleg Comstock came from Coiuiecticut 
about the same time with the Gardjiers, and 
settled on a tract of land which he "patented," 
near Gardner's creek, containing 175 acres. 
This farm was later ow'ned by John H. Cun- 
ningham. Ill 1869 it was purchased by P. K. 
Richards. The farm is now divided and is 
owned by Jessie P. Richards and Amos C. 
Learn. Mr. Comstock died at an advanced age, 
and is buried in the old burying ground at Ran- 
som. 

•TmiN McMillan came from Ireland, located 
(111 the farm owned for several years by David 
M. Huthmaker, and now owned by W. A, 
Hantz. He was a school teacher and physi- 
cian. He had eleven children. His son, Alex- 
ander, married iNancy Montanye, and the names 
of "LTncle Aleck" and "Aunt Nancy" were sy- 
nonyms for good in every household. He died 
November 25, 1869, at an advanced age. 

Freu Sandway, John Baumgaednee, John 
Rader, Andrew Nett, Philip Shellenber- 
GER and Charles Resler came to Ransom in 
1841. from Germany, and settled on what has 
since been known as "German Hill." 

Conrad Maas came from Germany in 1840 
and purchased the farm settled in 1841 l^y J(4in 
Baurngardner. This farm was purchased in 
1910 by Charles Richster. Conrad Maas mar- 
ried Miss Catherine Hines. They were the pa- 
rents of four children, namely: John, -Julia 
(Mrs. Fred Weiscarger), Conrad and Wentzel. 
They were all born in Germany. 

Benny Gardner, the Pioneer Grocer. 

The first store in Ransom townshij) was start- 
ed in 1810 by Benjamin Gardner, son of Rich- 
ard Gardner. He was born at Gardner's Ferry 
(now Ransom), Sept. 27, 1795. His lower 
limbs Avere isaralyzed when a child. He hitched 
about on his hands and hips, but was cheerful. 
Lie was an honest man in all his dealings. At 
the age of fifteen, the neighbors assisted him to 
build a small log-house where he could sell pea- 
nuts, candy, etc. This building was only twelve 
feet square, hut it answered his purpose for 
man}' years. The people sympathised with 
him in his helpless condition, which had the 
effect to help him on in his business. 

Elisha Harris, a neighbor, purchased for him 
some whiskey, and gave it to him. With this 



168 



Il.TSTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



he started a tavern, aiul after this he was always 
able to purehase his own whiskey. The travel- 
ers were sure to call on him and purehase some- 
thing in his line. His name and business be- 
came known everywhere along the river. His 
business increased, and in a few years he was 
able to purchase from the Butler heirs, a lot of 
seven acres of land, and soon after erected a 
much better and larger tavei'u, where he was 
able to lodge .strangers and travelers, and ac- 
commodate them with something to eat in the 
■shape of crackers, pies, cakes, candy, etc. In 
this way, things went on smoothly, until hnally 
some of his neighbors found considerable fault 
with him for selling whiskey without a license, 
and to prevent a prosecution, he procured the 
service of Christopher Taylor to take him to 
"Wllkes-Barre at court time when court was in 
session. .Judge Scott was presiding. Mr. Taylor 
took Benny on his back and walked into the 
court room. When the Judge made inquiries 
as to his lamenei-s, he discharged him, remark- 
ing that if so great a crip]ile could make his 
living in that line of business be should lie al- 
low^ed to do so. 

Ijater he Avas married to a. widow lady by the 
name of Owen and for a time kept quite a re- 
spectable tavern, furnishing meals and lodging 
to customers, but it was of short duratif)u. His 
wife soon tired of tavern keeping and advised 
him to sell out, which he did, and piu'chasod a 
few acres of land of a Mr. Jones, on the oppo- 
site side of the river in Exeter. His wife soon 
tired of this and advised him to sell oul. Mr. 
Gardner, finding that his wife was loo e.\])ensive 
a luxury for him to maintain (she having 
daughters that she was lu'oviding for at the 
same time secretly), and his father seeing how 
things were going, advised him to sell his little 
prop'erty, set the old lady adrift, and come 
home, which he did. Soon after, his father 
gave him an ancient little building on the bank 
of tlie river, a few rods above the ferry, Avhere 
he again started in the confectionery business, 
doing an honorable business, having left off the 
whiskey trade. 

The Pioneer Taverns 

The first tavern was estaVjIished at Ransom in 
1S12, by Benj. Gardner, which he kept for 
about twenty-five years. It Avas opened in a 
small log cabin. 

Al)out 1837, he was succeeded by Benjamin 
Smith and Philip Drear, who made many im- 
provements. J'he property was next owned Ijv 
A. W. Clark, who sold to' I. D. Gulick. This 
building was burned in March, 1855. (lulick 
then kept tavern a year in another house. 
Fred Sandway purchased the ])ro])erty and kept 
a tavtn'u a few years, and later sold to Jacob 



IJertels. The l.iuiiding is now a [)rivate dwell- 
ing, owned by the John Crowell estate. 

In 1846 a tavern was built at the head of the 
first narrows on the road from Pittston to Ran- 
.som by George Saxe, and later was kept bv J. 
Nafus.' 

In liSTO, a hotel was built by John Crowell. 

The Ransom Valley Turnpike Company 

was incorporated February 18, 1871, and the 
following persons were appointed connnission- 
ers: L. H. JJtts, P. K. Richards, Peter Bedell, 
George Damon, Chauncey Sherwood, D. M. 
Huthmaker and Amos Saxe. 

Boundaries and Surface 

Ransom is one of the eastern townshijis of 
Lackawanna county; bounded on the north l)y 
Newton townshi]); east and south by the city of 
Scranton, and Lackawanna and Old Forge 
townships; west by Marcy township and the 
Su.squehanna river. 

Tlie surface of the township is more hilly 
than that of Newton. A. large portion is tra- 
versed by the West Mountain, in which the 
highest elevation is Bald Mount, reaching an 
altitude of 2,22;] feet. The lowest j)ortion, 
along the Susquebainui near the village of Ran- 
som, is only 000 feet. Milwaukie is 900 feet, 
and Mountain Valley l,6ti0 feet above sea level. 

Ran.soin townshi]) is triangular in .shape, its 
western border being about five miles, and ex- 
tending northeastward over eight miles, taper- 
ing to a i)oint. It has an area of twenty-one 
square nnles, with forty-two miles of roads. 

Newtf)n township contains twenty-four square 
miles. It has fifty-one miles and sixty-one rods 
of roada. 

Rivers and Creeks 

This township is everywhere well watered 
with creeks, which are formed by numerous 
s]n'ings. The Susquehanna river forms about 
t-wo-thirds of the w'estern boundary. The larg- 
est stream flowing through the township is 
(lardner's creek. This creek has its source in 
the mountain above the Cosner school-house, in 
iNewton township (near the Ransom line), flow- 
ing nearly directly west, to a short distance be- 
low Curtis P. Smith's saw-mill. Here it turns 
aln-uptly to the south, flowing thrtargh Milwau- 
kie, where it takes a south-westerlj^ course, en- 
tering the Susquehanna river near Ransom. 

High Falls Creek rises in Mountain "\'al- 
ley, flowing north into Gardner's creer at 
Milwaukie. On this creek is located High 
Falls, on the farm of Lewis E. Powell. The 
water falls from a height of nearljr seventy-five 
feet, from which it derived its name. 



HISTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



169 



Miiyier Pond creek has its source near Aloun- 
(ain A'alley on the old Mosier farm (now owned 
by Edwin S. Miller) and Hows south-west into 
the Susquehanna near the Coal Storage Plant. 

Falling Sirring creek rises near Mountain 
\"alley. taking a southern course through Marcy 
township, flowing into the Susquehanna near 
Campbell's Ledge. Two large reservoirs are 
located on this creek, near the line between 
Ransom and Jlarcy townships. The.se reser- 
voirs were built by the Spring Brook Water 
Supjily Co., and furnish the water supply for 
the boroughs of Taylor and Austin. The larg- 
est reservoir was finished in 1905 at a cost of 
$285,000. lit covers seventy-one acres, of land. 
Two large concrete dams were binlt for its con- 
struction, one about (idO feet and the other 
about 750 feet long. 

There are several smaller streams in the town- 
ship. 

Agriculture 

.Vgrieulture is the chief occupation of the 
citizens of Ransom township. There are about 
eighty farms in the town.shi]), containing near- 
ly 5,SO0 acres, of which 4,500 acres are cleared 
and im]:)roved. Tlie township covers an area 
(if ^,889 acres, including cleared, timber and 
unimproved land, (-)nly four farms contain 150 
acres or more; seven, 125 acres or more; fifteen, 
100 acres or more; fourteen, 75 acres or more; 
■eventeen, 50 acres or more; ten, 25 acres or 
more; and ten of 10 acres or more each. The 
Ransom T-Tome farm is the largest, containing 
267 acres. .Tames Lacoc owns 187 acres. 

The land is hilly, Init productive. It is kept 
fertile l:)y thousands of tons of manure, which is 
hauled from Scranton and Pittston each year. 



Some grain is raised, but the principal crops are 
cabbage, sweet corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, pota- 
toes, etc. 

Llve Stock and Dairying. 

The land in Ransom is too valuable for stock 
raising. Much more money can be realized 
from an acre planted to garden truck, which 
brings good prices in Scranton, an unlimited 
market. There are only 314 cows in the town- 
ship. 

J. B. Coolbaugh and E. S. Miller, both of 
^lountain Valley, keep forty cows each, the 
largest dairies in the township. Mr. Coolbaugh 
runs a retail milk wagon to Scranton and Mr. 
Miller has a milk route in Moosic and Avoca. 
The Ransom Home has the next largest dairy, 
twenty cows. Horace Courtright ha.s sixteen 
cows and .Tohn Beyrent, twelve. Both have re- 
tail milk routes in Scranton. 

The township has 211 horses, 9 mules, 64 
sheep and 285 pigs and hogs. 

Oldest Inhabitants ov Ransom 

Twenty-six person, seventy years of age or 
over, are' living in Ransom township, namely: 



Dorothy Scliultheis 


90 


Mrs. Ella D. Park 


75 


Martin Hoffman 


86 


Jacob Bedell 


74 


Nicholas G. Reed 


8.5 


Tobias Stine 


74 


Margaret Blacliwell 


80 


Mrs. Alvy Krouse 


73 


Irwin Miller 


79 


Mrs. Regina B. Klaile 7 3 


.John Munson 


79 


Mrs. N. G. Reed 


73 


Mrs. Mary L. Newman 


78 


Mrs. Tobias Stine 


72 


Mrs. Dorinda Setzer 


77 


Mrs. Irwin Miller 


72 


Ostrander Richards 


76 


James Taylor 


72 


Sarah Kunsman 


76 


Martin Sickler 


71 


Mrs. .John Williams 


76 


Mrs. Geo. W. Ace 


71 


Mrs. Jacob Bedell 


75 


George W. Ace 


71 


John Wilson 


7 5 


John Williams 


70 



CHAPTER FIFTEEN 



VILLAGES, CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS IN RANSOM 



Thi. 



RANSOiM VILLAGE 
villatie was first settled sometime before 



1800. It contains only twenty- four houses, and 
has a population of about 100. 

The ferry was first built about 1795, by 
Richard Gardner, who ran it for several years. 
It A^•as next owned by his son, Samuel, and 
grandson, George ^Y. Later it was owned by 
Mrs. Mary A. Ives, and since Nov. 1, 1910, by 
her son, Francis M. Ives. 

The postofiice was established Ajiril 9, 1850, 
and Isaac I). Gulick was appointed the fir.st post- 
master, but the ofiiee was kept by Benny Gard- 



ner. This was the first postofiice in the town- 
.sliip. 

The Early Stores 

The first general store in Ransom township 
was kept by Benjamin Smith and Ira Gardner, 
which was opened in 1835. The building was 
built in 1832, by Sanmel Gardner for a clwell- 
ing. It was used for a stable a few years later. 
There was no other store here, excepting "Uncle 
Benny" Gardner's grocery, till 1846, when Abel 
and .James Thompson built and opened one. 
which was l)urned in 1855. In 1864, .Jacoli 
Bertels built and opened a store near tlie depot 



170 



IlLSTORY OF RAN80M TOWNHIllP 



at llansoiu, and in 1866 sold it to Fred Saud- 
way. Tliis property was purchased in ID 10 by 
Mrs. l)a\i(l M. Ilufhmaker. It has been used 
as a residence for several years, until April, 
li)12, when it was purchased by James P. Van 
Ostrand, and is now used again for a store. 
Charles (!etz, from Pittston, rented the buildint!; 
vacated by Mr. A'anOstrand, where he ()])ened a 
store on the first day of JMa.y, 1912. 

S.VAV-MiLL 

A saw-mill was erected in Ransom village in 
IcST."), b>' .hiseiih (1. Osborn, and Avas later own- 
ed by F. P. ()sborn. There has been no mill 
here for .several years. 



l(irale of S. 1. Charters, a framed churcli was 
buill on a lot dcniated by Sebastian Dersliimer. 
it was dedicated in 1872. Thiis church was 
burned Nov. 26, 1898. 

The ])resent church was Iniilt in 1899, and 
the pasonage Avas built alxiut the same time, 
l^hey cost about $?>.OO0. 

The followhig ministers have served this 
church siirce its organization: J. Hartzlen, 1859 
to March, 1860; Samuel Smith, March 29, 18(i0 
to March. 1862: S. E. Davis,, jMarch 30, 1862 to 
}ilarch, 1864: 1. H. Dietrick, :\hirch, 1864 to 
March, 1S6(); Solomon Buck, March, 1866 (o 
Ahu'ch, 1868- I. :\P Pines, 1868 to 1869: J. M. 
Price, 1869; William Crawman. 1869 to 1870: 




THE RANSOM FERRY. 
EstabUshed about 1795 by Ricliai-a Gai-flner. 



Blacksmith Shop 

The first blacksmith shop in this village was 
built in 1847, by Benjamin and Warren Smith. 
There is no shop here at the present time. 

Lutheran Church 

The Lutheran church at Ransom was bnilt 
in 1845 and dedicated in 1847, during the pas- 
torate of Rev. John Lescher. For several years 
the pulpit was supplied by ijreachera from other 
jilaces. This was the first church built in the 
township. No regular services have been held 
in this church for several years. 

Evangelical Church at Ransom 

A religious society was organized in the vi- 
cinity of Ransom in 1859, by the Rev. i\Ir. ^[ay 
and ReA'. Jacob Hartzlen. Services were held 
regularly at the home of Miss jMalinda Gard- 
ner for .several years. In 1871, during the pas- 



S. I. Sharters, 1870 to 1873 ; P. S. Oring, 1873 
to 1875 ; W. W. Rhoades, 1875 to 1876 ; J A 
HoUanbaugh, 1876 to 1879 ; G. L. Burson, 1879 
to 1880; H. H. Douty, 1880 to 1882; G. M. 
Currin, 1882 to 1883; J. M. Longsdorf, 1883 to 
1885; J. M. Brader, 1885 to 1888; C. J. Dick, 
1888 to 1891; H. A. Stokes, 1891 to 1893; E. 
K. Shaff'er, 1893 to 1896; F. F. Mayer, 1896 to 
1901 : P>. F. Keller, 1901 to 1905: JH. W. Tho- 
ma.s 1905 to 1907; L. Dice, 1907 to 1911; AY. 
E. Smith, 1911 to the present time. 

In its beginning, the Ransom church was a 
jiart of the Wilkes-Barre Mission, which was or- 
ganized in March, 1853, and included Wilkes- 
Barre, Pittston and Ransom townships. At the 
Annual Conference held at Glen Rock, York 
comity. Pa., in ^Nlarch, 1861 its name was 
changed to Wyoming Mission. Since 1891, il 
has been known as the Ransom Mission, wliicli 
includes the church at ^lountain Valley. 



HISTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



171 



In 1867 a union Sundaj' School was organ- 
ized at the home of Miss MaHnda Gardner, 
which was removed to the church after its com- 
pletion. 

Ransom School-house 

Until 1852, the children at Ransom attended 
the Ransom \"alley school. In that year the 
district was divided, and a school-house was 
built at Ransom. Gardner's creek is the divid- 
ing line between the two schools. Miss Susan 
Neyhart was the first teacher at Ransom, who 
taught four terms in succession. 

Miss Martha Lacoe taught this school in 1911- 
'12. Fifteen scholars were enrolled, namelv: 
John McCabe, Francis McGabe, Ellen :\IcCabe, 
Ilarrv :McCabe, Fred Taft, Mildred Taft, .Mar- 
tha taft, Ralph Bedell, Grace Bedell, Matilda 



Ransom Home 

The Home is an institution for the care of 
the poor and homeless of the city of Pittston, 
and Pittston and Jenkins townships.. It is a 
large and substantial brick building, located in 
Ransom township, nearly three-fourths of a 
mile south from the Lehigh Valley Railroad 
station, and about six miles north of Pittston, 
on the east bank of the Susquehanna river. The 
first directors were D. Stark, David S. Coon, 
Leonard Everitt and Joseph Schooley. 

The first farm was purchased in 18.58 from 
Ennnanuel Dersheimer, who had charge until 
the following .spring. The old farm-house was 
used for the inmates until the first brick build- 
ing was erected. It was located across the I'oad 
from the jiresent building, and was torn down 




SCHOOL-HOUSE AND EVANGELICAL CHURCH. Ransor 



Euglemau, Luzon Gardner, William Richards, 
Jim Serene, Alfred Stark and Alctor ;\Iu-sel- 
man. John ilcCabe was the youngest, aged 4, 
and Victor Musselman, the oldest, aged ll'years 

RANSOiM A'ALLEY SCHOOL 

The first school-hou.-e in Ran-om township 
was l)uilt alxiut 18;i() on the fiat iifar ({arduer 
creek, which was undermined l)y a flood aljont 
LSoO. The building was then n'loved to its pre- 
sent location. P. K. Ricliards, who is now liv- 
ing in West Pittston. taught this school in Lsr)."i. 
1856 and 1857. He had aljont seven tv-five 
scholars. Miss Sarah E. Klip]>le i- tiie iiresent 
teacher (19n-"12), with thirteen scholar.-- as 
follows: Nicholas Basalyga, Anna Bookier, .Ten- 
nie Hantz, Eva Krynisl<y. Rocco Occtiato. 
Frank Occtiato, So])hia liichter, Carl Richter, 
Willie Richter, [Mamie Rosenkrans, Elmer Ro- 
senkrans. Thressa Ro.^^enknins and William 
Thompson. 



a few years ago. 

The first nnnates were brought from Pitts- 
ton (jn the North Branch Canal. Before the 
farm was purchased there were fifty-five pau- 
pers within the district, but only five could be 
persuaded to go to the Home, The other fifty, 
having such horrors of going to the "poor 
house," decidecl to take care of themselves. 

The first brick building was erected about 
1877, during the stewardship of Alfred Helms. 
This was a three-.<tory and basement huilding, 
40x80 feet in size. In 1889, an addition, size 
40x128 feet was erected, making a building 40x 
208 feet, equiii])ed with all modern improve- 
nients, including an electric light plant for 
lighting the buildings. 

The farm contains 267 acres, valued at $10,- 
000, and the buildings are valued at $50,000, 
The personal ]iropertv is valued at ahout $25,- 
000, making a total valuation of $85,000 

The following are the Stewards of the Honi" 
since the first farm was purchased: Enini;inu'4 



172 



HISTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



Dersheimer, from 1858 to 1859 ; P. K. Richards, 
from 1859 to 1866; Lewis H. Litts, from 1866 
to alxmt 1870, who was succeeded by J. J. Miller 
(a son-in-law of Mr. Lifts), who served until 
about 1876; Alfred Helms, from about 1876 to 
about 1878; Eli Brown, from about 1878 to 
1887 ; Jacob Place, from 1887 to 1897 ; George 
H. Rifenbary, from April 1, 1897 to the present 
time. 

The Home had on January 1, ]91'2, ninety 
eight inmates, seventy-six males and twenty-two 
females. The monthly pay roll for house and 
farm labor averages about $235.00 per month. 
The products of the farm for the vear 1911, 
amounted to $6,081.05. 

The in-esent director,* and officers are as fol- 



JHLWAUKIE 

is a pretty litUe village nestled among tlie hills 
of Ransom township. It is located on Gard- 
ner's creek about four miles east from the vil- 
lage of Ransom and about two miles south of 
Newton Centre. 

The first settlement was made sometime be- 
fore 1820 by William Brink, on the farm now 
owned by Charles Stine. A little later, Hor- 
ace Twitchel settled where Milwaukie is now 
built, and in 1824 erected a saw-mill. Phineas 
Sherwood came about the same time. In 1825, 
Joseph LeTier made a clearing and built a log 
house on the farm now owned by Mrs. John 
Beyrent. About 1840, or sometime before, 
Barnev Dersheimer settled the farm now ownecl 




RANSOM HOME. — Rear View. 



lows: Gomer Jones, president; Patrick LI. Dur- 
kin, secretary; Michael J. Brennan, treasurer; 
Thomas J. Llewellyn and John H. Mullin. 

Ransom Coal Storage Plant 

About 1905, the Lehigh Valley Coal Com- 
pany purchased about 500 acres of land in Ran- 
som, including the farms formerly owned by 
John Saxe, Amos Saxe and John Stout, and part 
of the D. M. Huthmaker farm. The plant was 
begun July 1, 1905 and finished about one vear 
later at a cost of $500,000. The first coal' was 
stored in March, 1906. 

The plant is run by electricity, which is gen- 
erated by two 325 horse poAver engines ^^•ith di- 
rect-connecting dynamos. The plant has a 
capacity of about 360,000 tons. There were 
about 100,000 tons in storage Jan. 1, 1912. 
From twenty to thirty men are employed. F. 
J. Devlin is foreman. 



by Milton \V. Petty; David Huthmaker on the 
farm now owned by Thomas J. Huthmaker; 
jVlex. Beemer on the farm now owned by Joseph 
B. Munson : and Peter Ilufl^ord on the farm now 
owned by Anthony Schulthei.s. It is said that 
Peter Hwlford was the father of twenty-four 
children. He was twice married. 

The last farm settled in Ransom township is ■ 
now owned by John Hoft'man. His father, 
Martin Hoffman, purchased and moved to this 
farm in 1874. It was then a wilderness. 

I'he growth of Milwaukie was slow until 
about 1842, when Absalo)n Young made an 
auction sale (if building lots, and several were 
sold. Soon after several l)uildings were erected. 

The village of Milwaukie contains not over 
twenty families, but counting every person liv- 
ing Avithin Milwaukie School District the popu- 
lation is about 175. 

The inhabitants are thrifty and industrious, 



HISTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



173 



nearly all owning their homes. Thej^ are law- 
abiding, no serious crime being committed 
since the night of June 28, 1876, when Mrs. 
Susannah Bedell, widow of Peter Bedell, was 
murdered and robbed, in her home. The per- 
petrator of this liorril)le deed has never been 
Ijrought to justice. 

Unlike many other towns, Milwaukie is quite 
free from the spirit of gossiping, and as a rule, 
everyone attends to his own business, making 
it a desirable town to live in. 

Milwaukie can boast of having the largest 
store of any town in either Ransom or Newton 
townships. The present building was erected 
and is owned by the I. 0. 0. F. Lodge, which 
is rented to 0. W. Petty, who keeps a very com- 
plete stock of groceries and general merchan- 
dise. 



It was purchased by tlie present owner, Martin 
Siekler, April 1, 1897. Mr. Sickler owned a mill 
in Lake Winola before coming to Milwaukie. 

Foundry 

A foundry was iDuilt in 1851 by William Vos- 
burg in Milwaukie, across the creek from where 
Davis' wagon shop is now built. Later it was 
owned by S. E. Griffin, who in 1880 erected a 
new building near the site of the old. About 
1885 it was purchased by George C. Haupt. In 
March, 1897, it was sold at Sheriffs sale to Ira 
Drake, and he sold it, June 13th, the following 
year, to John Wilson, but the business was 
managed and run by Gail Haupt. It was 
abandoned about 1901. The building is now 
owned by Ira Davis. 




RANSOJI VALLEY SCHOOL-HOUSE. 



The Pioneer Saw-Mill 

The first saw-mill in Ransom township was 
built in 1824 by Horace Twitchel on the pres- 
ent site of Ira Davis wagon shop. It was re- 
built by William Vosburg, and later owned bv 
William Tompkins. In the fall of 1890, Ira 
Davis jjurchased the .site from Tompkins' es- 
tate, upon which he erected a wagon shop. 

The Pioneer Grist-Mill 

The first grist-mill in Ransom township was 
built on Gardner's creek at Milwaukie, in 1825, 
by Phineas Sherwood. He sold it to Absal()m 
Young, and he to Jacob Dershimer, who in 
1844 built the present mill about five rods be- 
low the site of the old structure. It was ]>ur- 
chased in April, 1852, by Nathan and .bicob 
Keim. Later it was owned bv Tims. .Johnson. 



Blacksmith Shops 

The pi(.)neer blacksmith shop in this town- 
ship was built in the early days at Milwaukie, 
and stood where the church sheds now stand. 
It was Avashed away by a fiood, and rebuilt in 
18;)5, near the old site, by Abraham Michaels, 
who worked in it for several years. It was 
Ixaight and rebuilt by Daniel Skinner and 
L. II. Winters. Later it was owned by ^^■i\- 
liam Meyer, and the business carried on by 
E. jM. Winters. Abram and Jacob Bedell had 
a shop here for about five years. 

The jjresent shop is owned by John C. Kuns- 
man, who ran the business a few years. Since 
Sept. 1, 1910 the business has been carried on 
l)y Harry A. Courtriglit. 

The up-to-date wa'j,(in .shop is conducted bv 
Ira E. Davis & Sons. On JIarch 1, 188;], Duii- 



174 



mSTOEY OF 1;A.N,S0.AI TOWNSHIP 



ifl \\. aud Ira E. Davis, under Uie firm uanie of 
J ^avis Brothers, bought the wagon making .sho]) 
of 'William ?iloyer, near the site where John 
Kmisaiairs blacksiuith shop now stands, where 
they eondneted the business until Sept. 24, 
1890, when the building and contents were de- 
stroyed by fire. During the spring of 1891, 
they erected a two-story and basement building 
on Gardner's creek, which they equipped with 
circular saws, planer and other wagon-making 
machinery which is run bv water-power. Dan- 
iel vv. Davis died May 24, 1898, aud the com- 
ing autumn Ira E. Davis purchased the half-in- 
terest from his brother's estate and ran the busi- 



Peck. fU was repaired in 187"), at a cost of 
•foOO. The site for this dnu'ch was purchased 
of Zachariah Bedell in 18r,9 for $100. Tliis 
building was torn down in 1903. 

In 1902 ijreparations were made for the erec- 
tion of a new church edifice. The trustees ap- 
]iointed the following building committee, Aug. 
8, 1902: William Zeiss, J. F. Lacoe and lienry 
Zilk. In 1W3, a lot was purchased across the 
street, and south of the old church. This lot 
was bought of "William Zeiss for $145. The old 
cliurch lot is no-\v part of the cemetery. 

The corner-stone for the new church was laid 
•lune 18, 1903, by the presiding elder. Rev. 




M. E. CHITRCH AT MILWAUKIB. 



ness until Jan. 1, 1911, when he formed a part- 
nership with his two sons, Robert and Clarence. 
Davis Brothers purchased the Avater ]iowcr 
privilege from the "William Tompkins estate 
for $500, which included the site of the present 
shop. 

MiLWAUKlE M, E. GllURCH 

The Methodists of Milwaukie held services in 
the school-houi^e for several years, the following 
ministers from the iNewton Circuit preaching: 
Samuel Griffin, Rev. White, J. M. Munger, Lu- 
ther Ellis, J. D. Safford, Miner Swallow, Phili]? 
Holbrook, .1. W. Wilbur and John LaBar. 

In the summer of 1859 the Society built a 
framed chiu'ch at a cost of $4,500, which was 
dedicated in Januarv, 18fi0, bv Rev. George 



J. B. SM-eet, D. D., assisted by Rev. A. J Van 
Cleft, 

The contract was given to the lowest bidder, 
John A. Johnson of Pittstiju, and Benjamin A. 
Crowther of the same citv was the architect. 
The contract price was $2,988, less $300 for the 
material in the old church, after which Mr. 
Johnson donated $50. The total co.-t of the 
building, including seats and all inside fixtures 
was $5,000. 

The church was erected during the pastorate 
of Rev. Edward McMillan. It was dedicated in 
September, 1904, during the pastorate of Rev 
C. W. Smith. 

I'he Milwaukie church is part of the Bald 
Mount charge. For a complete list of minis- 
ters since 1851, see Bald Mount M. E. Church, 



Ii,I8T0RY OF RANSOM TOWNSIilP 



175 



Sunday-School 

A Sunday-school was organized in the school- 
house in 1852, and removed to the church upon 
its comjjletion. Henry Barker was the first 
superintendent. Ezekiel Bennett was the next, 
and later N. G. Reed. Plenry Zilks is the pre- 
sent superintendent. 

Milwaukee I. 0. 0. F. Lodge, No. 267 

This Lodge was instituted Feb. 28, 1883, with 
twenty charter members which follow: Jacob 
Bedell, Peter Bedell, Charles V. Decker, Joseph 
Geary, Rev. Francis Gendall, P. K. Richards. 
Gen. W. Ace, Moses Ace, E. K. Townsend, 
John Roszler, William Mover, Lester Griffin, 



first teachers. Later he went to California, 
where he was twice elected State Senator. 

The present school buildius was erected about 
1861. 

MiLWAUKiE Sixty Years Ago 
Written by P. K. Richards, West Pdttston, Pa. 

At the western base of old Bald Mount, nestl- 
ed in a quiet little valley through which the 
( Gardner creek flows in all its beauty, the pleas- 
ant little hamlet, known to our readers as Mil- 
waukie, is located. Not unlike many other 
eountrj' towns, it is considered by the farmers 
in the immediate vicinity as "headquarters," 
because here are located the blacksmith and 




MILV^'AUKIE SCHOOL-HOUSE AND SCHOLARS. 



John Wilson, John Hoffman, Jacob Courtright, 
Charles W. Blackwell, William Zeiss, I. H. 
Sax, Thomas Huthmaker and Andrew Hopkins. 

The following officers were elected : Jacob Be- 
dell, noble grand; P. K. Richards, vice-grand; 
C. V. Decker, .secretary; I. H. Sax, financial 
secretary ; William Zeiss, treasurer. 

Ninty-eight members have been admitted by 
initiation, and five by card. The present mem- 
ber-ihip (Jan. 4, 1912) is fiftj^-six members. 

The original charter was issued to Aljington 
Lodge, No. 267, Oct. 8, 1847, which wasVir- 
renclered hj them in 1859. 

School-houses 

The second school-house in the territory now 
known as Ransom township, was built at Mil- 
waukie about 1835. This building was built of 
logs, a short distance above the present resi- 
dence of William Zeiss, near the corner of. and 
on the south side of the road leading to Moun- 
tain Valley. Judson CaiiDenter was one of the 



wheelwright shop, store ana church, together 
with mills for manufacturing logs into lnml)er 
and grain into flour and feed. 

1 have known this town for more than sixty 
years, and remember ^vell when it was called 
Flickerville. One of the first grist-mills in 
northern Luzerne was located here, owned and 
operated by Absolom Youngs. Subsequently 
an industrious and enterprising farmer and me- 
chanic of Ransom Valley, by the name of Dor- 
shimer, purchased the old mill and water ]irivi- 
lege. He at once began the erection of a, new 
mill on a much larger and improved plan. 
This, in connection with other enterprises, such 
as shops, store and post-office about to be in- 
augurated, raised the pride of the citizens to 
such an extent that they resolved that with the 
erection of the new mill, the nanie of the town 
must be changed. G. J. Carpenter, the village 
school-master (the only man in those days sup- 
posed competent for such things), was invited 
to he present at the raising, and from the top of 



7(! 



II.TSTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



the frame, loudly proclaimed the new chosen 
name. By special request I reproduce from 
memory, as near as I can, the little speech 
wdvon info rhyme and spoken at the time: 

On 'butment and sill. 

We've raised the new mill, 

Now we've hoisted the frame, 

Why not give it a name? 

To silence all clamor — 

By the choice of Dorshimer — 

I'm called to proclaim, 

MILWAUKIE is thy name. 

Oh, Flickerville, here! 

While blushing, draw near, 

Thou backsliding shrew — 

I'm sponser to you. 

To seas thy conversion, 

I must favor aspersion — 

A baptismal bond 

As deep as yon pond. 

MILWAUKIE'S thy name. 

Thou new christened Dame, 

Thou art born of a flood. 

From the mouth of "Priest" Jud.* 

Behold now your mills, 
O'ershadowed with hills. 
And hoof-beaten streets 
Intersect at their seats. 
We've heard, moreover, 
Of time-honored Dover, 
Where Kokeko falls 
Off her forty-foot walls. 
Of mills she can boast. 
And of factories a host, 
With her far-famed bangers, 
While mill engines clan,gor. 
Forty-five years ago. 
No mill boy did go, 
Penobscot's dark wave 
Her wild sides did lave, 
As damless and free. 
She flowed to the sea. 

Then urge to new life, 
The commercial strife, 
'i And enter the lists, 

With your toil-torn fists, 
'Mid storms and embargoes. 
With tariff-taxed cargoes, 
Rich argosies court. 
And the city's i)roud port. 
But winds may not track, 
Nor armed pirates sack, 
Or Congress invade, 
Our overland trade. 
By a second-hand lease 
Of the rich golden fleece. 
The grain grower's hand, 
Holds the wealth of the strand. 

Old Scotia is gasping, 

Sad Erin is clasping 

Her rude rustic arms 

For the grain on your farms. 

Famine broke on the wheel — 

Dies belching corn meal — 

Dies cursing good millers 

And thrifty land-tillers. 

You have no need of steam, 

With so noble a stream, 

.lust dig down these mountains. 

And dam up the fountains. 

Then go on, Dorshimer, 



With hand-saw and hammer. 

And finish Milwaukie, 

Or we'll call you a great gawky. 

Oh! now clear the course, 

For the twenty-horse force 

That impatiently waits 

To leap through yon gates. 

If it rain to Milwaukie, 

She'll never get balky 

But like a gallant steed 

Will continue her speed. 

The might of her breast, 

The roar will attest 

With her wheel-strajjped trace. 

As she leaps from the race. 

Then let her wheels roll. 

And your babies sop toll 

Till the Gardner ceases to flow. 

And the sound of the grinder is low. 

Jt is needless to add that the christening was 
done quite to the satisfaction of the hundred or 
more sturdy men present, who with willing- 
hands and strong arnts had put the frame in 
po.sition. P. K. R. 

MOUNTAIN VALLEY 

The first settlement in what is known as 
Moimtaiu "\^alley, was .made about 18o5 by 
Frederick Stiue on the farm now owned bv 
Charles W. Blackwell. About 1840, .Joseph 
Krouse, father of A Ivy Krouse, settled upon the 
farm now owned by Horace Gonrtright, and 
the same year built the log-house now standing 
on the place. About the same year .Jacob Ace 
settled the farm now owned by Edward E. Ace ; 
Alfred Aten made a clearing and built a log- 
house upon the farm now owned by George C. 
Coon ; Fritz Mitchael settled the farm where 
Edwin S. Miller owns and lives; Scott Carey 
settled upon the farm now owned by AA'^illiam 
Legg, and Philip Harlos, Sr. settled the farm 
where Emil Huggler is living. About 1842 
the Mosier farm was settled by Jacob Drake, 
and George M. Trivley came to the farm now 
owned by Alvy Krovtse. 

Hotel and Postoffice 

About 1866, Edward B. Trivley erected a 
building, ,-ize 26x54 feet, for a hotel, which was 
abandoned about 1870. This building stood 
on the site of Lewis E. Powell's residence, and 
Avas destroyed by fire June 5, 1898. 

The Mountain Valley post-office was estab- 
lished in this building, Aug. 7, 1868, and dis- 
continued .June 25, 1894. Edward B. Trivley 



*In the expression, "Priest Jud," the author re- 
ferred to himself, his name being G. Judson Car- 
penter. He was assisted to an elevated position on 
the frame, where he was supported by a workman 
on each side, while speaking, being unable to stand 
alone at such a height. He taught district school 
in Newton and Ransom for several years. 



HISTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



177 



was appointed the first postmaster about 1870. 
He was succeeded by M. Trivley. 

This hamlet was named "Mountain Valley" 
in 1868, by Edward B. Trivley, when the flag 
pole was raised at the hotel. 

School-houses 

The first- school-house in Mountain Valley 
was built of logs, sometime before 1840, on the 
farm now owned by Horace Courtright (across 
the road from where Lewis E. Powell's barn is 
erected) . Eliza Hallstead, Cyrus Marcy and a 
.Mr. Swarts were among the first teachers. 

About 1861 a framed school-house was erect- 
ed on the William Mosier farm (now owned by 



Evangelical Church 

The church at Mountain Valley was erected 
in 1884, during the pastorate of J. M. Longs- 
dorf. In 1882, Alvy Krou.se, E. S. Miller and 
-J. B. Coolbaugli were appointed a building com- 
ndttee. A lot was purchased in 1883 of David 
Z. Michael for $25. A building was erected the 
following year, at a cost of $1,000. It was dedi- 
cated Sept. 7, 1884 by Rev. N. Young. The 
church was remodeled in 1906, at a cost of near- 
ly $2,000, and was rededicated the same year by 
Rev. W. F. Swengel, during the pastorate of 
Rev. H. W. Thomas. 

This church belongs to the Ransom circuit. 
Rev. W. E. Smith is the present minister. 




MOUNTAIN VALLEY SCHOOL-HOUSE AND CHURCH. 



E. 8. Miller), near where Ostrander Richards' 
barn now stands. Edward Ayers was the first 
teacher. The Misses Emily Litts and Susan 
Nejdiart were among the early teachers. Among 
the later teachers were William Shelley, Miss 
Amy Petty, Reuben Lesli, Miss Maggie Robert- 
son, Augustus Michael and others. This school 
building was purchased by William Mosier and 
torn down, and the lumber used in the erection 
of his house in 1884. 

The present school-house was Iniilt about 
1879, and Joseph Moore was the first teacher. 
Other teachers were Mame Miller. William 
Brodhead, Marjoria -Jones, Mamie Zeiss, Marie 
Corseliiis, Bessie Evans, Dora Huthmaker, Rhea 
■■^'illiams, Anna O'Malley, Porter Michael, Mis-i 
Roloson, Sara Klipple, Lillian Decker, and 
others. Miss Maude Hinckley of Dalton. is the 
teacher at this writing. 



MOUNT DEWEY 

This portion of Ransom township was a 
wilderness twenty-five years ago, except two 
or three clearings. The first settlement was 
made in 1832 by a Mr. Woolsey, who purchased 
160 acres and the same year erected part of the 
house now owned by John Witzal. This farm 
has since been divided into lots containing from 
one to ten acres each, except the farm, contain- 
ing twenty-eight acres, now owned by George 
Kelloii of Green Ridge. The house on this 
farm was built about 1880 by Andrew Witzal. 
The farm now owned by Alonzo J. Wickizer 
(on the Newton turnpike) was settled about 
1869 bv William Canterbury, father of William 
F. Canterbury. About 1880 WiUiam Lloyd 
settled the farm now owned by William T. 
Jones. About 1886 Frederick Biere erected 
a house on the property now owned by Stephen 



178 



1MS1X)1!,Y OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



Schmidt. 

The growth of tlie .settlement was sU)W until 
about 1889. During the next ten years sev- 
eral houses were erected. There are now thirty- 
hve houses in Mount Dewey school district, con- 
taining about 180 inhabitants. 

The name, "ihiunt Dewey," was suggested 
by Mrs. Catherine Wilson at an entertainment 
given at the school-house, Feb. 22, 1899, for the 
benefit of the school library. Prior to that time 
it was called the "West Monntain School." It 
is also called Little Ransom. 

An election board was established in 1899 
through the efforts of Charles Mayer and Frank 
riildebrnnl. i>efore this time the voters of 
this part of tlic lownshi]) went to Mihvaukie to 
vote. 



Scranton. There are no factories or industries. 
The citizens find employment in Scranton. 

SCHOOL-HOtlSE 

iln 1889, George Witzal (brother of .John), 
called a meeting to plan for the erection of a 
.school-hou.se. Congressman .lohn Farr was in- 
strumental in getting a.n appropriation of $700 
from the State, and the township paid $150. 
The .same year a. building was erected at a 
cost of $850. Andrew Wit'zal, -Jr., was the first 
; chool director and Edward Parker the second. 

The following are the teachers: 1889, Miss 
Munson, 1890, '"Miss Dora linthmakcr; 1891, 
Miss Bartal: 1892, Mr. Richards; 1893-97 (5 
terms), Frank Ililderbrant ; 1898, Laverne Tay- 
lor; 1899 and 1900, Miss Stella Price; 1901 and 




MOUNT DEWEY SCHOOL-HOUSE AND SCHOLARS. 



The public road from the corner at the Con- 
tinental Aline Othce to the old "Blindman's 
Road" was built in 1890. This road follows 
the Continental creek to near its source where it 
crosses the creek, and oxtends eastward by the 
school-house. 

Mt. Dewey has no ])(isl-oIhce or rural route. 
West Scranton is the nearest post-office. .V 
large portion of the mail is delivered at 914 
Keyser Avenue, Scranton. Better mail service 
is needed in this hamlet. 

Mt. Dewey has no regularly laid out streets. 
The different homes are built among the trees, 
some are nestled in the valleys, while other are 
on the hill-tops. It is a very plea.-^ant place in 
summer, where many peo]ile of Scranton go 
for a day's outing. Here they find alnmdance 
of pure air and cold spring water. 

The nearest stores and churches are in West 



1902, Miss Anna P. Reed; 1903 and 1904, IMiss 
Nellie I. Gal'rett ; 1905 and 1906, Mrs. Edward 
Wint (sister-iu-la-w of General Wint) ; 1907, 
Miss Ruon; 1908 and 1909, Mrs. Martha No- 
lan; 1910, Miss Margaret -Jones; 1911, Miss 
Sara D. O'Malley. 

West Mountain Sanatorium 
The Scranton Society for the Prevention and 
Cure of Consumption was incorporated -Jan. 26, 

1903. The incorporators were J. M. Wahi- 
wright, M. D., A. .J. Connell, M. D., M. J. Ho- 
ban, Rogers Israel, J. Benj. Dimmick, Reese G. 
Brooks and Henry A. Knapp. On the 15th of 
■July, 1903, the Society purchased of -lohn 
Heim, a farm on the West Mountain, in Ran- 
som township, containing thirty acres, for $6,- 
000. Upon this property a pavilion and several 
shacks have been erected for the accommoda- 



HISTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



179 



tion of the patients. The i^atients are kept in 
open shacks, both suunner and winter. Fifty- 
two patients were treated in 1911, and fifteen 
were di.scharged cured. Tlie hirgest number of 
l)atient.« at any one time during the year was 
thirty, and the smallest number was nineteen. 
The business address of tl:ie Sanatorium is 436 
Wyoming Avenue, Scranton, Pa. 

PilRNING OF THE SCHMIDT RESIDENCE 

One of the sad events of Ransom townshija 
was the Ijurning of tlie residence of Ferdinand 



Schmidt, Sept. 9, 1906. 

Shortly after the noon liour, on a pleasant 
autumn Sunday, the quiet settlement of jNh.iunt 
Dewey \\-as aroused by the alarm of lire, sounded 
1)\' .Airs. lohn Moor, who lived near the Schmidt 
home, which was soon a mass of flames. Mr. 
Schmidt and his two daughters, iNettie and 
.Vmelia, aged seven and twelve years, were fa- 
tally burned. They were taken to the Moses 
Taylor Hospital, where the children died the 
following morning, and the father two days la- 
ter. ■ ' 




RESIDENCE OF EDWARD B. ACE. 



CHAPTER SIXTEEIV 



HOMES AND PEOPLE OF RANSOM 



EDWARD E. ACE 

Mr. Ace is a son of Moses and Anna (Barrier) 
Ace. He was born Jan. 31, 1869 on the home- 
stead farm where now living, which has always 
been his home. Farming has been his lifelong 
occupation. 

Mr. Ace was married Dec. 24, 1891 to j\Iiss 
Mary Ellen, daughter of Joseph and Sarah 
(Blackwell) Brezee. Mr. and Mrs. Ace have 
a family of five children, namelj': Closes E., 
Maggie A., Wilda J., Sarah T. and Abrani W. 
They are all living at home. 

Moses Ace, father of our subject, was born 
May 29, 1839 in Newton township, and died 
Aug. 24, 1906 on the farm now owned by his 
son, Edward. He was a son of Jacob and 
Elizabeth (Walter) Ace (See George W. Ace). 



Moses Ace was married Oct. 6, 1866 to Miss 
Anna, daughter of Philip and Susan (Dershie- 
mer) Barrier. Mrs. Moses Ace was born Dec. 
13, 1844 in Milwaukie, and is living with her 
son, Edward. Mr. and Mrs. Moses Ace were 
the parents of five children, namely; Jennie, 
born Aug. 15, 1867 and married Wm. Cosier, 
and living in Taylor; Jacob, twin brother of 
■Jennie, died Jan. 3, the following year; Ed- 
ward E., our subject; Bertha, born^Tuly 31, 
1874 and married Wade Clark, and living on 
a farm near Falls; and Maggie, Ixirn Sept. 2o, 
1878, and died Feb. 22, 1883. Moses Ace was 
a farmer, a carpenter and a blacksmith. 

Joseph Brezee was born Sept. 6, 1853, near 
the home of Chas. Stine, and died Feb. 13, 1906. 
He was married May 13, 1871 to Miss Sarah J., 



ISO 



JIISTOUY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



da.u.t;liiei' of William and Margaret (Ace) 
BlackwL'll {See Peter S. Mctzgur). Mrs. Brezee 
Avas born Aug. 12, lH'i?>, and is living in ^lonn- 
tain Valley. She had a. fannly of twelve chil- 
dren, namely: Mary E., Lncy A,, Maggie E., 
Ilaltie J., Ida M., Ennna D., William A., the 
.twins, Cora and Carrie, John M., Bertha B., and 
Pearl E. Fonr of the above are dead: Hattie, 
Ida, Carrie and John. 

GEORGE W. ACE. 

The iVce's were among the early settlers of 
Ran.som township. 

Our subject, George W. Ace, was born Dee. 
6, 1841. i-Ie enlisted October 18, 1864 in Co. 



was a son of George and Barbary Ace, and was 
married to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of George 
and Elizaljcth Walters. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob 
Ace moved from Monroe county to Newton 
township in April, 1839 and rented the old 
Peter Corselius farm, near where .Jennings 
Drake now lives. In 1840 they moved to Ran- 
som township and settled on the farm now 
owned by his grandson, Edward Ace, and 
erected the framed house, which was rebuilt 
about 1887 by his son, Moses. Their farm and 
adjoining land was then a wilderness. Mr. 
and iNIrs. Ace were the parents of eleven chil- 
dren, three sons and eight daughters, namely: 
Elizal)eth. married Mathias H. Black well : Solo- 




RESII'KNCE OF GEORGE W. AGE 



G, 52nd Regiment Pa. Vol., and served until 
after the close of the War. He was married 
January 4, 1866 to Miss Susanna, daughter of 
Benjaujin and Sarah (Ace) Courtright. Mrs. 
Ace was born November 10, 1841 in Middle 
Smithfield township, Monroe county. 

To the union of Mr. and Mrs. George W. 
Ace four children were born, namely: (1) 
^^"illia^n, born June 29, 1864 and married 
about 1887 to Miss Jennie Ace. They are 
living in Taylor and have six children: Elmer, 
Ethel, Millie, George, Berlo and Acea; (2) 
Jacob, born July 8, 1866 and died six days 
later; (3) Stella, born April 1, 1879 and died 
Ai>ril 28, the same year; (4) Elwood Laverne, 
born June 20, 1880, and married March 13, 
1907 to Miss Lizzie L. Davis of Taylor. They 
have two children: George E., born December 
5, 1907, and Pearl E., born October 18. 1910. 
Laverne is working his father's farm. 

J.VGoi! Age, the father of our subject, was 
born October 9, 1797 in Monroe county. He 



mon, married Marrier Williams and second 
wife iwas Catherine Prentzman ; Mary Ann, 
married Peter Williams; Sarah, married Henry 
Leader; Harriet, married Charles Wagner, who 
was killed about 1854 when tearing down the 
old rolling mill at Wilkes-Barre. Her second 
husband was Nicholas Overender; Margaret, 
married Wiliam Blackwell; Lavina, died when 
about tAventy-six years of age ; Emaline, married 
John M. Williams; Moses, married Anna Bar- 
rier; George W., the subject of this sketch; 
Samantha, married Dennis Michaels. 

Jacob Ace died May 5, 1870. His wife was 
born November 1, 1801, and died February 
16, 1884. They both died on the old home- 
stead. 

Benjamin Courtright was born October 15, 
1806 and died June 18, 1864 in Monroe 
county. His wife was born July 12, 1812 
and died December 13, 1879. Both Avere born 
in Middle Smithfield toAA'nship, Monroe county. 
Their family consisted of eleven .children, seven 



HtSTORY OF RANSOM T0WN8IIIP 



1,^1 



sous and four daughters, namely: George, 
Katlierine, Anna, Oliver, Moses, Susanna, 
Mary, John, William, Sanuiel and Jacob. 

George Ace, our subject's grandfather, was 
born November 8, 1759 and died February 1, 
1849. His wife, Barbary, was born April 20, 
1769 and died August 9, 1840. 

DAVID H. BEDELL. 

Mr. Bedell is a son of Abram H. and Ellen 
(Swartz) Bedell of Milwaukie. He was born 
Sept. 9, 1872. When about five years of age 
his father purchased and moved to a farm at 
Square Top, in Falls township. When about 
seventeen he attended Kev.^toue Academv one 
term. He was married Julv IS, 189:1 to ]»Iiss 



son. Mr. Bedell was married April lo, 1804 
to Miss Ellen A., daughter of Henry and Ma- 
lissa (Miller) Swartz ol' Newton township. To 
this union eleven children were born, namely: 
Caroline, Gertrude, Eva, Kate, David, Arthur, 
Adalade, Temple, Brice, Robert and Dolly. 
Eva and Dolly died in youth. 

THEODORE G. BEHLKE 

Mr, Behlke was born Sept. 7, 1854 in roni- 
ern, Prussia, Germany, where he lived until 
eighteen years of age, sailing for this country in 
May, 1872, arriving in New York .Tunc 2, l)eing 
about thirty days on the water. He went to 
Oxford, N. J., where he worked in the iron mills 
for twcl\-c years. In October, 1884 he moved 




DAVID H. BEDELL AND FAMILY 



Mary C, daughter of Nicholas and Alzaua 
(Dailey) Klingle of Abington. She was born 
Nov. 21, 1873. 

Mr. Bedell has devoted much of his life to 
farming, excepting a few months while employ- 
ed in the Dickson boiler shop at Scran ton. 

When Rural Route No. 2 was established at 
Ransom, March 16, 1907, Mr. Bedell was ap- 
pointed mail carrier. 

Mr. and Mr,«. Bedell have one son, Walter A., 
born Feb. 5, 1894. 

Abram H. Bedell, the father of our subject, 
was born April 28, 1844 in Milwaukie. He is 
a son of Zachariah Bedell. Mr. Bedell is a 
blacksmith by trade. He and Jacob Bedell con- 
ducted a shop in Milwaukie for several years. 
Later Mr. Bedell kept a store in the same vil- 
lage. About 1877 he purchased a farm at 
Square Top, where he lived several years. In 
August, 1900 he sold his farm to Ehner Thomp- 



to Scranton, working nearly three years in a 
stone quarry, and September, 1887 he began 
working in the D. L. & W. car shops, where he 
was employed for nearly nineteen years. He 
moved to his present home, May 17, 1892, Mr. 
Behlke is a son of Frederick and Hannah ( I'^ri- 
day) Behlke. 

Theodore G. Behike was married Sept. 15, 
1876 to Miss Catherine Isabel, daughter of 
Peter and Barbary (Wholeb) Kline. " To the 
union of Mr. and Mrs. Behlke twelve children 
were born, namely: (1) George, born Feb. 10, 
1878 in Oxford, N. J., and married Nov. 28, 
1903 to Miss Annie Louise Pobgee. They have 
two children, George and Russell. They are 
living in Scranton. (2) Peter T., born April 
11, 1880 and died Feb. 3, 1SS2. (3) John H., 
born Aj^ril 29, 1882 and died twelve days later. 
(4) Ainia B., born Jniu> 9, 1883 and died Dec. 
28, the same year, (5) Louise G., born Feb, 



182 



ITJSTORY OF TRANSOM OX)WNSIIIP 



1, 1885, and is a lailoress. (6) Herman E., 
born j\Iay 4, 1887, and is a carpenter. (7) 
Jacob A., born Jnlv 5, 1889, and is a plasterer. 
(8) Elizabeth M., born July 10, 1891, and is a 
seamstress. (9) Christine C, born Aug. (i. 
1893, and working at home. (10) Rose ^1.. 
born Mav 2."), 1895 and died Feb. 7. 189(3. (11 ) 
^\'illiam G., horn Dec. IS, 1896. He is learn- 
ing the tiling trade. (12) Elmer R.. born 
Sept. 21. 1899 and died ^hireh 2:^., 1900. 

FREnEEicK Beiii.kb was Ijorn in i\Iarch, 
1819 in Germany, and died in November, 1903 
in Oxford, N. J. He was a farmer while living 
in the old country, but worked in the iron works 
after he came to ;New Jersey in 1.S72. His 
wife, Mi.^^s Hann;ih Fridnv, was born in l<S2i-) in 



many, and the inhahiUiuts were compelled by 
law to change from the French to the ({crman 
language. 

Mr. l:>eyrent came to this country in Novem- 
ber. 1880, li^•ing in Scrauton for ten years, 
where he worked in Finch's boiler sho]i. He 
was married Sept. 21, 1887 to ^liss Mary Eli- 
zabeth, daughter of Peter and Lena (MiUen- 
berger) Finklcr. 

To the union of ^Ir. and ^Irs. Beyreut nine 
children were liorn, uamelv: (1) Peter, born 
.July 17, 1.S88 and married July 19, 1911 to 
Miss Freida, daughter of John and j\hn-y (Kie- 
fer) ^liller of Scrauton. They reside in Scran- 
l(in. where Mr. Beyreut i~- engaged ui the auto- 
mobile business, corner Linden St. and Webster 




.JOHN BEYRENT'S RESIDENCE. 



Geru)any, and died July 1, 1901 in Oxford, 
N. J. They were married about 1848. Their 
family consisted of six children, namely: Her- 
man k., Augusta, who died in 1888: Theodore, 
our subject; iVuna, married Albert Pohl and 
living in Michigan City, Tud. : Edward, who 
died hi infancy; William, also living in Michi- 
gan City. 

PisTEit Ki>iNK, father of Mrs. Behlke, was 
born in Bavaria, Germany, Sept.. 18, 1833 and 
died in Oxford, N. J., Nov.' 5, 1894. His wife, 
P>arl)ary AAlioleb, born in Switzerland, Sept. 17, 
1839 and living on the old homestead, in Ox- 
ford, N. J. They were -the ])areuts of twelve 
children. 

JOHN BEYRENT 

^Ir. Beyreut was ])orn May 30, 1805, in 
Alsace-Loraiue, Germany. This country, un- 
til 1870 belonged to France, and after the 
French and German wa.r it was ceded to Ger- 



Ave. (2) Nicholas J., horn Dec. 9, 1890, is a 
farmer, helping on the home farm. (8) John, 
born iNov. 14, 1892, is running his father's milk 
wagon. (4) Mary E., born Oct. 5, 1894. (5) 
Charles, born Aug. 19, 1898. (6) Christian, 
born Sept. 12, 1900 and died Jan. 30, 1905. 
(7) Anna, born Sept. 16, 1902. (8) August, 
born Sept. 9, 1905. (9) Joseph A.,, born Nov. 
29. 1908. 

Mr. Beyreut has run a retail milk wagon to 
Scrauton since March 15, 1908, and his son, 
John, has missed only two days on the wagon 
since May 1, 1908, excepting a few Sundays. 

Pktek Finkler, born in Germany, July 11, 
1830, and died in Newton January 13, 1908. 
He came to this country in 1839, when a boy 
nine years of age, with his mother and two 
younger sisters, being thirty-six days on the 
water. His father came the previous year and 
was seventy days making the journey. The 
trip can now be made in .six days or less. Then 



,^ 



> 



o 
o 
o 

2i 

CO 

W 
H 
en 

d 




HISTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



185 



the old sail ships were the only means of trav- 
eling by sea, and many times they would be 
drifted by the wind in the opposite direction 
for several miles. 

Michael Finkler, the father of Peter, as stated 
above, came to this country about a j^ear before 
his family, and settled on a farm near ^Vilkes- 
Barrc. He met his family in New York city 
at the wharf in December, driving a one-horse 
wagon. 0\-er two feet of snow fell and they 
were seven days driving from New York to 
Wilkes-Barre and Michael froze his feet, dis- 
abling him the remainder of the winter. He 
died in April, 1868, aged sixty-six years. 

Peter Finkler was twice married, first in 1849 
to Miss Margaret Herold. He was a poor boy. 



daughter, Mrs. John Bey rent is now living, for 
which he paid $5,500.00. 

Mr. Finkler was the first person this side of 
the mountain to raise garden truck for market- 
ing, which wasi in 1867, the year he came to this 
townshii). At first his neighbors told him it 
would be impossible to make a success of truck- 
ing in this section, and ridiculed the undertak- 
ing. But today nearly every farmer in Newton 
and adjacent country are raising all kinds of 
vegetables adapted to this section. 

CHARLES W. BLACKWELL. 

Mr. Blackwellwas born Nov. 22, 1853 on the 
Homestead Farm Avhere he is now living. He is 
a son of Mathias and Elizabeth (Ace) Black- 




(■h.miJjES w. blackwkj^l's residence. 



having only $-3.00 when married, and after giv- 
ing the "Squire" one-half of that amount for 
"tying the knot" he had only $1,50 left to be- 
gin housekeeping. They moved to a farm on 
the mountain above Olyphant. Later they 
moved to a farm at what is now Priceburg, 
where his wife died about 1855, leaving four 
children: Mary, Charlotte, Katherine and 
Henry. All are dead but Katherine. 

Mr. Finkler was again married in 1856 to 
Miss Lena Mittenberger, and to this uni(jn 
twelve children were born : Annie, Christian, 
Margaret, -John, Joseph, Elizabeth, Peter, Em- 
ma, Lena, Charles and a pair of twins, living- 
only a day. Only four are living, namely: 
Margaret, Elizabeth, Peter and Charles. 

Mr. Finkler moved to Newton township in 
1867 and purchased the Peter Bedell farm for 
$10,000.00. In 1890 lie jnu'chascd the Lewis 
Drake farm in Ransom township, where his 



well. 

Charles W. BlackwelL was married Feb. IB, 
](S78 to Miss Christina, daughter of William 
and Elizabeth (Rupp) Scherer of Mountain 
^'alley, who were the parents of thirteen chil- 
dren. 

^Ir. and Mrs. Blackwell are the parents of 
live children, namely: Lizzie, born Oct. 15, 1879 
and was married in March, 1901 to Jacob 
Sehwitzer. He died Nov. 8, 1908, leaving two 
children, Anna May, born Feb. 23, 1902 and 
Charles W., born Feb. 22, 1905. Lizzie was 
married again in March, 1910 to Sterling Evans 
and living near Dalton; .y^ram, born Feb. 23, 
1882: .Tosephine, born Feb, 19. 1884; William, 
l)orn Sept. 13. 1888 and Mary, born .July 1, 
1891. 

Mr. Blackwell was elected constable of l\an- 
>om townshij) in February, 1906 and rc-c]('cl<Ml 
iu 1909. lie has been road supervisur ^iiice 



186 



HISTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



March, lyuU, and was seliool director for iiiuc 
successive terms, being first elected about 1888. 
He has Ijeeu elected poor director three tiuies. 

Mr. Blackwell's sons, Abrani and William, 
are now working the farm on shares. They were 
(he largest growers of toiriatoes in Ransom town- 
ship during 1911, producing over 2,500 baskets. 
They also raised about 15,000 heads of cabbage 
and fifty tons of hay. 

Mathias Blackwell was born May 3, 1817 
in New Jersey, and when three years of age he 
came to AYilkes-Barre with his parents, Israel 
and Sarah (Bates) Blackwell. Here they lived 
on rented farms mitil 1842, when they moved 
to the farm now owned by Charles W. Black- 
well, which was then a wikterness except a small 



on the farn] now owned by Frederick Hoffman, 
above Miiwaukie. He is a son of AVilliam and 
Margaret (Ace) Blackwell (See Peter S. Metz- 

Our subject was married Sept. 10, 1882 to 
]Miss Ellen Nora, daughter of Peter and Ellen 
(Miller) Miller, ^ilr. and Mrs. Blackwell are 
the parents of nine children, namely: (1) 
Elmer W.. Ijoru .lune 19, 1884 and married 
Miss Louise ^^\■isentlub of Tavlor, and have one 
daughter, Helen Louise, born March 1(5, 1910. 
(2) Susannah, liorn Oct. 17, 1886, and married 
Hec. 24, 1908 lo Wesley Maas, son of Wentzel 
Miias. 'I'hey have one son, AUjert, born Jan. 
14, 1910, and are living on a farm near Ran- 
som. (3) Layton, born Oct. 4, ISSS, and 




RBSIIDENCB OP THEODORE G. BEHLKE 



clearing around the log-house that was built 
.•sometime before 1838 by Frederick Stine. Ma- 
lliias was married Aug. 24, 1847 to Miss Eliza- 
beth, daughter of Jacoli and Elizabeth (Wal- 
ters) ^Vce. She was born April 3, 1822. Mr. 
and Mrs. Blackwell were the parents of six chil- 
dren, namely: Ellen, born Feb. 8, 1849 and 
died Jan. 12, 1853 ; Mary Ann, born May 24, 
1850 and married Ira Drake of Newton ; Amy, 
born Nov. 16, 1851 and married Jacob Court- 
right and living in West Pittston ; Charles W., 
the subject of this sketch; Sarah, born Dec. 31, 
1855 and died May 21, 1865; Moses, born July 
9, 1858 and married Anna Maas, and died Dec. 
23, 1889 ; Mathias died Sept. 14, 1895 and his 
wife died Jan. 6, 1907. 

JOHN M. BLACKWELL. 

Mr. Blackwell was born March 20, 1857 near 
Pittston. When about eleven years of age his 
parents moved to Ransom township and settled 



working for Edwin S. Miller on the milk wagon 
,-ince September, 1907. (4) Alice, born Dec. 
22, 1890. (5) John C, born Oct. 23, 1892. 
He has been working for Edwin S. Miller for 
about three years. (6) Harry, born Jan. 13, 
1895, also working for Mr. Miller. (7) Minnie 
J., born Jan. 9, 1896 and died Feb. 8. the 
same year. (8) Delia M., born Jan. 9, 1897. 
(9) Mildred IL, born April 2, 1900 and died 
April 12, the same year. 

Mrs. Blackwell is a sister of Edwin S. Milker 
of Mountain A^alley. She was born Nov. 30, 
1862, in Monroe county, her mother dying 
when she was only a week old.. Then she was 
taken to the home of her grandmother, where 
she lived until six years of age, when her father 
was married again. When nine years of age 
she came to Ransom township, and lived with 
her aunt, Mrs. Susannah Mosier. until married 
{See Edwin S. Miller) . 



HISTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



187 



ELMER AV, BLACKWELL 

Mv. Blackwell it-' a carpenter, working for tlie 
Taylor-Duryea Lnniber Co. of Taylor, where 
he has been employed since tlie spring of 1907. 

He was born June 19, 18S4, near jMountain 
\ 'alley school-house, on the farm where Adam 
H. ^liller is now living. He is a son of John 
M. and Ellen (Miller) Blackwell of Mountain 
\'alley, and a grandson of William Blackwell.. 
(See Peter S. Metzgar). 

Our .subject was n)arried at the age of tweuty- 
live to Miss Louise, daughter of John and Bar- 
bara (Sultzer) Weisenfluh of Taylor. 

Mr. and Mrs. Blackwell have one daughter, 
Melen Louise, born ^hnvh 16, 1910. 



Mr. and Mrs. Bowen are the parents of four- 
teen children, namely: (1) PoUj'', born April 
7, 1882 in Trederger, South Wales, and died 
in Februarv, 1892. (2) William J., born June 
7, 1882, and married Sept. 24, 1907 to Miss 
Gelia Evans, and living in Hyde Park. They 
have one son, William, born July 27, 1910. 
(3) Martha G., born Oct. 28, 1884 and married 
Sept. 30, 1907 to Hiley W. Stewart, and living 
in Mt. Dewey. They have two children, nanielv: 
Willard L., born Jan. 9, 1909; Letitia, born 
March 22, 1912. (4) Margaret, born Jan. 6, 
1885. She is an operator in the Imperial Un- 
derwear Factory. (5) Sarah Ann, born April 
19, 1887, and "married Bruce Cobb, May 14, 




RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM BOVPEN 



John Wkisenkluh, born in Switzerland, 
May 12, 1840. He came to this country about 
188^2, and has since lived in Taylor. He mar- 
ried Miss Barbara Sultzer. They are the pa- 
rents of ten children. 

WILLIAM BOWEN 

Mr. Bowen was born Nov. 13, 1857 in Aber- 
sychan, South Wales. He is a son of Joseph 
and Margaret (Jones) Bowen, who were the 
parents of five children, namely: William, 
Sarah Ann, Charles, Agnes and Ada. 

Mr. Bowen was married April 9, 1881 to 
Miss Letitia Gilbert, in their native country. 
Mrs. Bowen is a daughter of William and 
Masting (Thomas) Gilbert. (See Wm. F. Can- 
terhiify). 

jMr. and Mrs. Bowen came to this country 
March 20, 1887. Mr. Bowen is a shoe-maker 
Ijy trade, which he followed about four years 
after arriving in Scranton. He then began 
working in the luines, where he has since been 
employed. 



1908 and living on a farm near Lake Sheridan. 
(6) Ada, born July 8, 1889, is working in the 
Imperial Underwear Factory. (7) Charles, 
born Nov. 12, 1890, is working in the mines. 
(8) Polly, born June 9, 1892. (9) Letitia, 
born June 23, 1894. (10) Agnes, born Aug. 
13, 1895. (11) Susan, born Aug. 11, 1896. 
(12)' Winifred, born April 25, 1898. (13) 
Annie, born Aug. 1, 1899. (14) May, born 
April 10, 1897 and died two weeks later. The 
first four children were born in South Wales. 



FRANK H. COON 

Mr. Coon ranks among the leading agricul- 
turists of Ransom township. He is engaged in 
mixed farming — trucking, dairying and grain 
raising, making a specialty of haj', cabbage and 
apples. 

Mr. Coon was born March 16, 1873 on the 
homestead farm, which has since been his 
home. He was married Feb. 15, 1900, to Miss 



188 



HLSTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



Marie F., daughter of i'eter and Octavia(Fitcli) 
Corselius. She was born Sept. 13, 1872 near 
JMilwaukie, on the farm now owned ,by her 
brother, Harry Corsehus (See Harry Corselius). 
Mr. and Airs. Coon are the parents of two 
children, namely : Sanmel, born Dec. 26, 1900, 
and Ruth 0., born Dec. 22, 1906. 

Cteorge C. Coon, father of our subject, was 
born March 26, 1848 near Newton Center, on 
the farm now owned by George L. Coon. G. 
0. Cotin is a son of Samuel and Margaret (Wal- 
ler) Coon, and a grandson of -Joseph Coon, one 
of the pioneer settlers of Newton township. Mr. 
Coon lived with his parents until twenty-one 
years of age, when he moved to the farm where 
he now resides. He was married one year later 
to Miss Jane L., daughter of William 'j\Ioore of 



children. A\'hen only nine years of age, he be- 
gan working in Brigg's (Caponse) Breaker as 
slate picker. In September, 1878 he entered 
the mines, where he worked as door boy, mule 
driver and car runner. In July, 1883 he ad- 
vanced to mine latjorer, and five years later to 
coal miner, working seventeen years mining 
coal. In April, 19()6 he began working for 
the D. L. & W. Coal Company in the Hyde Park 
mine as hratticeman, which is a position next 
to foreman. In April, 1911 he went back to 
mining. 

Mr. Canterbury received no education in his 
younger days, and when married could not 
read nor write. He then realized his need of 
an education, and spent his spare moments 
learning to read and write, gaining a fair edn- 




WILLIAM p. CANTERBURY'S RESIDENCE 



AVyoming county. She was born Aug. 9, 
1849 and died Aug. 13, 1880. To the union 
of Mr. and Mrs. Coon four children were 
born, namely: William B., born July 12, 1871 
and died -July 24, the same year; Frank H., 
our subject; Alice B., born June 1, 1877 and 
married W. H. Newman, M. D.., and are liv- 
ing in Newton Center; Samuel, born Julj' 25, 
1880 and died Feb. 10, 1885. 

j\Ir. Coon was married the second time, Dec. 
0, 1882 to Lydia Brown, daughter of David K. 
and Loretta Brown of Wyoming county. She 
died Jan. 4, 1906, and Mr. Coon is now living 
Avith his son, Frank. 

W,ILLIAM FRANCIS CANTERBURY 
Mr. Canterbury was born in Keyser Avenue, 
Scranton, Oct. 21, 1867. He is one of fifteen 



cation. On June 16, 1910 he passed the re- 
quired examination for Assistant Mine Fore- 
man, and August 1st, the same year was grant- 
ed Certificate of Qualification, issued by the 
State Department of Mines at Harrisburg. 

William F. Canterbury was married Janu- 
ary 3, 1890 to Miss Mary Ann, daughter of 
William and Masling (Thomas) Gilbert. Mrs. 
Mary Ann Canterbury was born January 
13, 1872 in Wales and came to Canada October 
31, 1882, with her parents, and two years later 
to this country. 

Mr. Canterbury is of the only family bearing 
the name of "Canterbury" in the United States, 
and all are living in and near Scranton. 

j\Ir. and Mrs. Canterbury are the parents of 
eleven children, ten of whom are living at home 
and their names may be found in the Directory. 



HISTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSIilP 



189 



Another daughter, Lucy, born Jan. 24, 1893, 
and married April 21, 1910 to Eugene, son of 
George and Mattie (Carey) Engles. They have 
one son, WiUiam G., born May 17, 1911. They 
are living in Hyde Park. 

Geo. W. Canterbury, the father of our sub- 
ject, was boi-n Nov. 7, 1828 in York State and 
died in May, 1904. He married Miss Mary J. 
Gruslin, who was born in France in 1841 and 
died in Scranton in May, 1893. They were 
the parents of fifteen children, nine of whom 
are now living, namely : Joseph, William, John, 
Charles, Frank, Ellen, Emma, Kate and Mame. 
George W. Canterbury traveled in every state 
in the Union. He was a soldier in the Civil 
War, enlisting in 1861 and serving till the 



HARRY CORSELIUS 

Harry S. Corselius was born Feb. 7, 1877 on 
the farm where he is now living. He attended 
the Milwaukie school until 1895, when he en- 
tered the East Stroudsburg Normal School. 
Here he attended two winter terms. He was 
married Jan. 20, 1900 to Miss Maud E., daugh- 
ter of Peter and Emma (Rader) Bedell of Mil- 
waukie. 

Mr. Corselius is a progressive truck and dairy 
farmer. He is secretary of the school board, 
being elected director in November, 1911. 

Mr. and Mrs. Corselius have a family of three 
children, namely: Mary H., born Sept. 23, 
1900; George B., born April 25, 1907: Floyd 
S.. born June 9, 1909. 




RESIDENCE OF HARRY CORSELIUS. 



close of the war. He was never wounded in 
battle. 

William Gilbert was born May 1, 1832 in 
Somersetshire, England. Mrs.. Gilbert was 
born April 1, 1830 in France. She is a 
daughter of William and Mary Ann Thomas. 
Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert are the parents of nine 
children, five of whom are now living, namely: 
(1) Lettie, married AVul Bowen, and have 
fourteen children and living in Mt. Dewey. (2) 
Agnes, married Valentine Heme, having a fam- 
ily of fourteen children and living in Hyde 
Park. (3) Thomas, married Susie James, and 
have three children and living in Hyde Park. 
(4) Benjamin, married Rachel Burch, and have 
a family of six children and living in Hyde 
Park. (5) Mary Ann, the wife of our subject. 
Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert have over sixty grand- 
children and nineteen great-grandchildren. 
They are living with their daughter, I\Irs. Heme 



Mr. Corselius is a son of Peter Corselius, Jr., 
and a grandson of Peter Corselius, one of the 
early settlers of Newton township. 

Peter Corselius, Jr., the father of our sub- 
jectj was born in Newton Centre, Feb. 2, 1843. 
He was married May 14, 1868 to Miss Octavia 
E., daughter of Seymour and Elizabeth Fitch of 
Square Top. Mr. and j\[rs. Corselius Avere the 
parents of two children : Marie, born Sept. 13, 
1872 and married Frank Coon of Mountain 
A^alley; Harry S., our subject. Mrs. Corselius 
died Feb.. 7, 1905. In 1871 Mr. Corselus pur- 
chased the farm now owned by his son, Plarry, 
from John Kuhn, and in 1909 moved to New- 
ton township, exchanging farms with hi.^ son. 

Peter Corselius, Sr. was born in April, 
1800, in Sussex county, New Jersey and died 
in April, 1863 in Newton township. He was 
married in 1827 to Miss Marie Youngs, and 
about three years later moved to Newton town- 



190 



mSTOEY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



ship and settled on the farm now owned by 
George Bicf-'ecker. He built a log house near 
the li(_)me of Jennings Drake and a few years 
later built the house where F. H. Cooper is now 
living. He was one of the first justice-of-the- 
peace in this section, holding the office for 
several years. His family consisted of nine 
children, namely: George, who died when 
eleven years of age, Dorcas (Mrs. John Hice), 
Phebe (Mrs. Horace Lifts), Jeptha, Rosanna 
(Mrs. P. K. Richards), Alvy, Peter, Flarvey 
and Harry. The Iavo oldest were born in New 



His father died when he was twenty years of 
age. He purchased the home farm from the 
heirs, which he has since worked. 

Mr. Coolbaugb was born Sept. 22, 1854, and 
is a .son of Nelson and Sarah (Carey) Cool- 
baugh. He was married June 6, 1880 to Miss 
Rosa, daughter of John and Catherine (Earth) 
Maas of Mountain Valley. Mr. and Mrs. Cool- 
baugh are the parents of four sons, who are liv- 
ing and working on the home farm, namely; 
Elmer, Archie, William W. and Nelson J. El- 
mer and Archie are graduates of the Wyoming 




J. B. COOLBAUGH'S MIMv HOUSE 



Jersey. Peter was a son of George and Kate 
(Kimball) Oorselius, who were born in Hol- 
land. 

JOHNSON P.. COOLBAUGH 

Mr. Coolbaugh is 'an extensive and progres- 
sive agriculturist of Mountain A^'alley. He is 
an uiJ-to-date dairyman, and runs a retail milk 
wagon to West Scranton, where he sells tlie 
milk of forty first-class, grade holstein cows. 

He produces from 25,000 to 30,000 heads of 
cabbage a year, and sells from twenty-five to 
fifty-five tons of hay. His farm is in first-class 
state of cultivation. 

Mr. Coolbaugh was Ixirn and reared on a 
farm, and has been a farmer from his j^outh. 



College of Business. William drives the milk 
wagon to Scranton, 

Nelson Coolbaugh,, the father of our subject, 
was born in Exeter township, Wyoming county, 
June (i, 1820 and died Jan. 17, 1874 on the 
farm now owned by our subject. His wife. 
Miss Sarah Carey, was born in 1831 in Moun- 
hiin ^'alley, and died Oct. 9, 1882. Their fam- 
ily consisted of seven children, namely: Delia, 
•lolmson, James, Mary, Alvira, William and 
Letitia. Only three are living: Johnson, our 
suljject; Alvira, married George Rose, and liv- 
ing in Scranton ; William, married Mary Clark 
and they are now living on a farm near Falls. 

For a record of Mrs. Coolbaugh's j^arents, see 
John P. Maas. 



HISTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



191 



HORACE COURTRIGHT 

Mr. Courtright is one of the largest truck 
growers in RanHoni township, which he ?ells 
at retail in Scranton, making from four to six 
trips a Aveek from early summer till late ni 
autumn. Pie is the largest producer of red 
raspberries in this tomiship. April 1, 1911 he 
started a retail milk wagon in Scranton, which 
is supi)lied by milk from his own dairy. 

Mr. Courtright was l)orn -Tune Ci, lS(j() in 
^Middle Smithfield township, :\Ionroe county^ 
where he received a fair education. In 1877 
he came to INIilwaukie where he worked for 



Mr. Courtright is a son of Oliver and CaroUne 
(Treible) Courtright. (For record of Mr. 
Courtright's family, see Thom^as J. Huth- 
makcr) . 

To the union of Mr, and Mrs. Horace Court- 
right eight children were born, namely: Wil- 
lard H., Mabel E., Anna S., Paura B., Howard 
P., Walter, Christian K. and Albert W. All are 
living at home. Paura is a student at the 
East Stroudsburg Normal School. (See Direc- 
tory for dates of birth) . 

Benjamin Courtright was the grandfather 
of our subject. (See George W. Ace.). 





f'\ 



J. B. COODBAUGH'S BARN. 



William Zeiss two summers, after which he 
returned to j\lonr(x^ county. He was mari'ied 
April 29, 1886 to ^liss Arminda, daughter of 
John and Margaret Ann (Wells) L-larl:, of 
Middle Smithfield township. Mr. and Mrs. 
Courtright moved to Ransom in March, 1887. 
They lived in Milwaukie ten years, where he 
wiirked by the day for the farmer^. On March 
2'.l, 1898 he moved to the Mosier farm (now 
owned by Edwin ]\[iller) on the mountain, 
which he rented three years. He then rented 
the Jacob Bedell faviu' three years, whirh he 
purchased Noa'. 28, 1904, whei'o he has since 
resided. 

j\Ir. Courtright was elected school director in 
Feb., 1902, and re-elected in 1905 and 1908. 



John Clark, father of Mrs. Courtright, was 
born in 1813 and died June 27, 1892 in Mid- 
dle Smithfield township, Monroe county. He 
was married May 14, 1847 to INIiss Margaret 
Ann Wells. She was born Nov. 26, 1823 in 
NeAV Jersey and died Sept. 8, 1900 in Middle 
Smithfield township. They were the parents of 
ten children, four sons and six daughters, 
namelv: (1) Martha R., born Feb. 1, 1848 and 
died .June 8, 1852. (2) Mary Enuna, born 
April 14, 1849 and was drowned June 12, 
1852. (3) Franklin P., born July 25, 1852, 
and is livhig near his old home. He never 
married. (4) Sarah S., born Oct. 7, 1853 and 
married Christian Kautz. They have three 
children; Harry, Bertha and Austin, and living 



192 



ILISTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



in Sraithfield township. (5) Aaron Q., born 
April 9, 1855. He went \A^est when about 
twenty years of age and lias not been heard 
from since. (6) Susanna C, born Sept. 1, 
1857 and married Thos. Blatchler of Monroe 
county. They had a family of ten children. 
She died April 20, 1898. (7) Arminda, born 
April 10, 1859 and married Mr. Courtright, 
the head of this sketch. She died August 17, 
1909. (8) George W., born April 1, 1861 and 
died March 28, 1902. He never married. (9) 
William H., born Sept. 14, 1865. He is a 
mechanic, living in Middle Smithfield town- 
sliip. (10) Margaret E., born April 8, 1867 
and died -Tulv 26. 1894. 



1877 and married Oct. 25, 1905 to .John Schul- 
theis and are living in Taylor, and have one 
daughter, Luella; Virgie R., born Dec. 4, 1879 
and married Dec. 26, 1906 to Harry Dyniond 
and are living in Blairstown, N. .J.; Harry A., 
born May 14, 1886 and married Oct. 20, 1909 
to Miss Margaret Bedell and are living in Mil- 
waukie where he has a blacksndth shop ; Sadie 
M., born Feb. 26, 1888 and married Walter 
Klipple April 22, 1909 and are living in Mil- 
waukie; Pearl L., born Aug. 6, 1893 and is 
living with her mother. 

•John ^Iichaei.s was born -Tan. 16, 1818 in 
Monroe county and died Nov. 29. 1854 in Ran- 
som township. Mrs. Michaels was born ^hu'ch 




HOME OF HORACE COURTRIGHT. 
Showing- the old log-house, concrete milk house, barn and residence. 



MRS. ph:ebe courtright 

Mrs. Courtright is the youngest daughter of 
John and Sarah (Drake) Michaels. She was 
born Aug. 20, 1856 in Ransom township. 

Mrs. Courtright was married Nov. 13, 1872 
to .John Courtright, son of Benjamin and Sarah 
(Ace) Courtright. He was born Nov. 11, 1845 
in Monroe county and died in Milwaukie Sept. 
16, 1898. Mr. and Mrs. Courtright were the 
parents of six children, namely: Lewis D., born 
March 22, 1875 and was married Sept. 6, 1893 
to Miss Sarah Keilbach and are living in West 
Pittston, and have four children: Ella, Anna, 
Mamie and Plarry; Mary E., born Jan. 17, 



18. 1817 in ,New Jersey and died Feb. 4, 1894. 

They had seven children, namely: Dennis, 
who is living on a farm in Newton township; 
Elias, who died when young; Mary, married 
M. H. Trible and is living in Scranton ; Sarah, 
married Andrew Hopkins and died in 1877 ; 
Phoebe, the subject of this sketch ; and Jacob, 
who is living in Michigan. 

HARRY A. COURTRIGHT 

jMr. Courtright is a son of John and Phebe 
Courtright. He was born May 14, 1886 in 
Kizer Valley and came to Milwaukie with his 
parents when about nine years of age. His 



HISTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



193 



father died when Harry was only twelve years 
old. Harry attended No. 17 School, at Kizer 
\'alley, thi'ee years and at Milwaukie four years. 
When sixteen years of age he began learning 
the blacksmith's trade with John C. Kunsman 
at ;\Iilwankie, Avhere he worked over four years. 
March 1, 1907, he rented the blacksmith shop 
of Christopher Van Buskirk at Bald Mount, 
which he ran for three years, the first year be- 
ing in partnership with his brother-in-law, 
Harry Dymond, and the last two years alone. 
On April 1, 1910 he commenced clerking for 
0. W. Petty, where he worked until Sept. 1, 
1910 when he rented the blacksmith sho]) of 



working in the Mount Pleasant Breaker as .'late 
picker, and when twelve he entered the mines. 
He advanced to the different stages of the work 
until about 1889 he was employed as triick 
layer, which has since been his occupation. 

Our subject was married Sept. 13, 1894 to 
Miss Sarah J., daughter of John and Eliza 
(Parry) Davis. 

Mr. and Mrs. Lewis W. Coslett have five chil- 
dren living {See Directory). Four died in 
infancy, namely: Vera, born Oct. 17, 1897 and 
died Julv 15. the following year; Lydia, born 
Dec. 19, 190i and died Aug.' 23, 1903; .James, 
born April 22. 1908 and died May 2, 1909: 




BLACKSMITH SHOP. MII.WAUKIE. 



John C. Kunsman wliich he is conducting at 
this writing. 

Mr. Courtright was married Oct. 20, 1909 to 
Miss Margaret, daughter of Peter and Emma 
(Rader) Bedell. 

Mrs. Courtright was born Jan. 20, 1887 in 
Milwaukie. Her father was born in Milwau- 
kie, Dec. 7, 1854 and her mother was born 
June 10, 1855 at Ransom and died May 13, 
1901. She (Mrs._ Bedell) was a daughter of 
John and Catherine (Walters) Rader. (See 
Mrs. Phoebe Courtright.) 

LEWIS W. COSLETT. 

Mr. Coslett is a son of William and Martha 
(Todd) Coslett. He was born Sept. 24, 1871 
in Taylor. When eight years of age he began 



John. iKirii .lulv 21, 1011 and died Jan. 28, 
1912. 

Mr. Coslett attended school only three short 
terms, but later in life realizing the need of an 
education, purchased several books. These he 
read and studied during his .spare moments, 
thereby obtaining a fair business education. 

^^'ILLIAM Coslett, our subject's father, was 
Ijorn about 1833 in South Wales and died in 
We.st Scranton in July, 1887. His wife was 
born about 1843 in ' Mertha Tydvil, South 
^A^ales and died in April, 1901 in' West Scran- 
ton. She was a daughter of James Todd. Mr. 
Coslett was a miner by trade. Mr. and Mrs. 
Coslett came to this country in 1865. 

John F. Davis was born in South \Yn\es 



194 



HISTORY OF RANSO.M TOWNSHIP 



and died in April, 1S85 in West Scranton, a.iicd 
a))()ut rt8 years. His wife was born in Her- 
[■(iidsliire, 'England, Oct. 1, 1S4;'. and died jMay 
4, l<s;)() in West Seranton. They were married 
in iMifiland aljont LSoO, and came to this conn- 
Iry abont IHfiU, Mv. Davis coming abont a year 
l)efore his wife and children. 

IRA p]. DAVIS 

The up-to-date wagon maker of IMilwaukie 
was born Oct. 7, 1857 in Columbia county. He 
is a son of Robert D. Davis. 

When aljont sixteen years of age he began 
learning the blacksmith trade with E. M. Win- 
ter at Milwaukie. He worked here about eigh- 



Davis, May 24, 189S, Ira E. conducted the busi- 
ness alone until Jan. 1, 1911, when he entered 
into partnership with his (wo sons, Rohert and 
Clarence. 

Ira E. I)a^•is was married March 20. 1880 to 
Miss Hattie E., daughter of Ebeneezer (b. Oct. 
2o, 1819 — d. Jan; 8, 1903) and Julia M. 
(Rose) Rozelle. JMrs. Rozelle was born March 
1, 182H and died Felx 11, 1908. 

Mrs. Davis was Ixirn Nov. (3, 18r)4 in New- 
ton, opposite from where the Hillside Plome is 
now built. She is a dress-maker by trade, which 
she followed seven years before marriage. 

]\Ir. and ^Irs. Davis are the ])arents of six 
cliildren, namely: (1) Edith M., born Dec. 29, 




llESIDENCE OF LEWIS W. COSLBTT 



teen months. Then he went to Seranton, 
working four years with his vmcle, ^^'illiam 
Blume. Here he Hnished learning his trade, 
after which he worked in Wilkes-Barre and 
Pittston until March 1, 1883. Then he re- 
turned to Mihvaidvie, where he and his brother, 
Daniel W., under the firm name of Davis Bros., 
purchased the William ^Nloyer wagon shop. The 
building and contents were destroj'ed by fire 
Sept. 24, 1890. The same year they purchased 
the site and water privilege of the isioneer saw- 
mill in Ransom township, from the William 
Tompkins' estate. Part of the old mill-dam 
built in 1824 by Horace Twitchel was then 
standing. In 1891 they erected a two-storj^ 
and basement building, size 40x01 feet, Avith 
an one-story addition, size 26x28 feet, for a 
lilacksniith shop. 

The building is equipped with first-class 
wood working machinery, driven by a turbine 
waler-wheel. After the death of Daniel W. 



married Nov. 29, 1900 to Fred G. 
and has one son, Clyde V., born 



18S2 and 
Hincklev, 

July 21," 1909. Mr. Hincklev was born April 
7, 1881 and died Oct. 26, 1911. (2) Robert 
J., born Apiil 11, 1884. (3) Mary I., born 
Oct.. 10, 1880. (4) Grace R., born May 27, 
1888 and married Oct. 28, 1909 to Thomas 
Looms. They have one daughter. Hazel I., 
born Jan. 20, 1911. Mr. Looms is depot agent 
for the Lehigh ^''allev R. R. Co. at Spring- 
ville. (5) Clarence I.'; born June 9, 1S92. (6) 
Frances W., Ijorn June 18, 1898. 

RoTiEKT I). Davis, born March 27, 1820 in 
Goshen, Orange county, N. Y. He came to 
Peiuisylvania about 1846 ; married in Newton 
township to Mi.ss Mary, daughter of Adam and 
Lydia (Ace) Michaels. She was born Oct. 
29, 1829 and died Jan. 23, 1903 in Ransom 
township. Mr. Davis died Jan. 18, 1890 on the 
homestead farm in Ransom. Mr. and Mrs. 
Robert D. Davis were the parents of nine chil- 



HISTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



195 



dren: George M; Daniel W., who died May 24, 
1898 ; Ira E. ; Lydia, who married -lame,? Wal- 
ter ; John C. ; James R. : AVilliam H. : Benjamin 
S. and Arthnr Z. 

ALBERT R. DA VIES 

Mr. Davies was born near Russell Ilill, Wy- 
oming county, July 29, 1872. He attended 
school at Russell Hill and one term at Key- 
stone Academy. He was married Dec. 22, 
1896 to Miss Arminda E. Sweet, daughter of 
Jacob and Mary (Ace) Sweet. She was born 
Aug. 26, 1874. Her father died when she was 
less than two months old. 



and Sarah (Lott) Vosburg. Mr. and Mrs. 
George Davies were the j^arents of nine chil- 
dren; Frank, Albert, Jessie, John, May, Ray, 
Arthur, Clarence and George V. Jessie died 
when about two years of age. 

George Henry Davies, our sub.iect's grand- 
father, was born in London, England, Jan. 23, 
1811 and came to this country in 1848. He 
was a local Methodist preacher and a tailor Ijy 
trade. He died Aug. 13, 1867. His wife, 
Maria Harris Davies, was born in AVales, Oct. 
4, 1814 and died Jan. 6, 1885, on the old home- 
stead farm near Kussell Hill. 




RESIDENCE OP ALBERT R. DAVIES. 



Jacob Sweet, born March 17, 1840 and died 
Oct. 21, 1874. His wife, Mary Ace, born July 
18, 1846 and is living in Montana. They were 
married June 8, 1867, and to this union four 
children were born: Adam, Edgar F., Mary E., 
and Arminda E. 

Mr. and Mrs. Albert Davies are the parents 
of two children, namely: Horace H., born Aug. 
30, 1897 in Tunkhamiock and Albert F., born 
May 22, 1902 on the farm near Milwaukie. 

George Davies, our subject's father, was 
born May 29, 1844 in Neath and his wife, Or- 
celia, was born Feb. 14, 1849 in A^osburg. She 
is a daughter of Riley B. (b. 1818— d.' 1880), 



LOI.^IS ENGLEMAN 

'Mr. Engleman has been a steady employee 
of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company .since 
June 12, 1889, when he was lir.st employed as 
car oiler, and three years later was promoted to 
car inspector, which position he has since held, 
working in the company's yard at Coxton. 

Mr. Engleman was born March 12, 1868 in 
Pittston, where he lived until ]March 1890. 
Then he came to Ransom with his mother and 
.stepfather, Charles Rock, and moved on (he 
George Sax farm, below where the Coal Storage 
Plant now stands. 

Louis Engleman was married Nov. 15, 1890 



196 



ILISTORY OF R/INSOM TOWNSHIP 



to Miss Charlotte A., daughter of John and Ly- 
dia J. (Harris) Stout. She was born in Ran- 
som, Oct. 23, 1870. 

Mr. and j\lrs. Engicniau are the parents of 
two children, namely: Louis H., born July 8, 
1893 and was killed by a passenger train in 
front of the Ransom depot, Nov. 17, 1907 : 
Bertha M., born Feb. 1, 1899 and died of scar- 
let fever Aug. 26, 1905. They liave one adopt- 
ed daughter, Matilda May, born Aug. 6, 1902. 

John Engleman (Mr. Engieman's father), 
was born in Germany about 1818 and died in 
Pittston in 1870, of consumjition, which he 
contracted in tlie Army. lie enlisted three 
difl'erent times and served to the close of tlie 
rebellion, whero lie was taken sick with tAqihoid 



Palmer, who died when Stella Avaa a small girl. 
Mr. Gardner is emjiloyed in the Coxton yard as 
boss coal loader. 

To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Gardner four 
sons were born, namely: George M., born Dec. 
10, 1892 and died Mar. 20, 1898; Vivian, born 
Dec. 25, 1894; J. Otto, born Dec. 28, 1896 and 
died April 25, 1897; Luzon 0., born Sept. 29, 
1894. They have one adopted daughter. Viva 
Faith, born March 31, 1907. 

G)0(iRGE G.\RDNER was bom March 28, 1832 
and died Aug. 20, 1907. In November, 1862 
he enlisted in C(nnpany D, 143d Regiment, Pa. 
\'ol. and served mitil the close of the war. lie 
learned the blacksmith trade when a boy, which 
he followed mitil the war broke out. He mar- 




is iS S « si 



I'l'illHjiilllil 

^ii'JiiHnilli! 



LOUIS ENGLEMAN'.S KESIUIONr 



fever and spent several monlbs in a hospital 
in Rhode Island. Hi- wife was ^liss Catherine 
Stem, daughter of John Stem. She was thrice 
married. Her second husband was George 
Gardner who died about 1880, and about five 
years later she married Charles Rock. She 
had five children by her first husband, namely: 
Catherine, Lena, Sophia and Louis and John, 
the twins. Four children \vere born by her 
second husband: Michael, Charles, Bridget and 
Jennie. She died May 28, 1897, aged 49 years. 

JAMES GARDNER 

j\Ir. Gardner is a son of George W. and Rose- 
lia (Smith) Gardner and a grandson of Samuel 
and Sarah (Lafey) Gardner and a great grand- 
son of Richard. 

James S. Gardner was married Dec. 14, 1891 
to Miss Stella Palmer of Kingston. Her pa- 
rents were David and Caroline (HoUenback) 



ried Miss Roselia, daughter of Peter A. Smith of 
Ransom. They had two children: Harriet, 
born Oct. 13, 1862 and married John Sharp and 
living near Eatonville, Pa. : and James S., the 
subject of this sketch, born Nov. 5, 1866. 

ELIAS A. GARDJJER 

Elias A. Gardner is a son of Samuel and Mar- 
garet (Smith) Gardner. He was born April 
18, 1847 on the farm now owned by Henry 
Burgess. He married Miss Martha Cooper, 
oldest daughter of Reuben and Elizabeth (Wil- 
son) CooiDer. 

^Ir. and Mrs. Gardner own and are living on 
the farm settled by Mrs. Gardner's grandfather, 
Charles Wilson. Mr. Wilson walked from his 
place to Harrisburg to get a deed of the farm 
after he had it paid for. 

To I\Ir. and Mrs. Gardner six children were 
born, namely: (1) Maggie, born May 8, 1871 



HISTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



197 



and married Edgar Dadey. They are living in 
Scranton, and have a family of ten children: 
Leah and Lena (twins), born Jan. 19, 189JL 
(Leah married Wilnm Shoemaker, July 25, 
1910. They have one son, born ilay 9, 1911. 
Lena married William Kreinburg of Scranton, 
Aug.' 17, 1911), Harold, Ruth, Inez, Lewis, 
Elmer, Robert, Norman and Arthur. (2) El- 
nora, born Oct. 12, 1873, and married Oliver 
Wood. She has six children living: Lester, 
Martha, Maud, Elisha, Arnold and Stanley. 
She is living in Scranton. (3) Grace, born 
June 17, 1876 and was married April 20, 1884 
to Lloyd A. Singer, son of George VC. and 
Julia (Smith) Singer. They have two chil- 
dren: Bessie A., born November 3, 1894 and 
David D., born January 1, 1899. Mr. Singer is 



from Ransom to Pittston. Here he was em- 
ployed at the Barnum Breaker for about three 
years. June 1, 1911 he went to Indiana and 
Illinois for the summer. He is now employed 
as fireman at the Pine Brook Colliery in Scran- 
ton. He is living with his mother. (2) Mar- 
tha B., born Sept'. 2, 1893. She is employed at 
Wickham, Hughes & Co. cut glass factory. 
(3) Maud S., born Jan. 11, 1895. (4) Elisha 
H., born Sept. 27, 1896. He is employed at 
the Scranton Nut and Bolt Works. (5) Leon- 
ard L., born March 8, 1900 and died Nov. 3. 
the same vear. (6) Walter A., born Sept. 11, 
1903. (7) Stanley E., born Feb.- 19, 190(1. 

Mrs. Wood and her family moved from Pitts- 
ton to Scranton Aug. 20, 1911, where she is 
nowr living. 




MH. AND MRS. ELIAS A. GARDNER 



employed by the Lehigh ^^alley Railroad Com- 
panj' at the Coxton round-houser" (4) George. 
W\, born Sept. 23, 1884 and died Aug. 22, 1887. 
(5) William Roy, born ]\Iarch 27, 1888 and 
died the following day. (6) Reuben S., born 
April 6, 1889 and married March 23, 1911 to 
Miss Ethel Posten. They reside in West Pitts- 
ton. They have had one child, Daniel Elias, 
born Oct. 31, 1912 and died Nov. 12, the same 
year. 

^Irs. Er.NOKA Wood is a daughter of Elias 
and Martha (Cooper) Gardner. She was married 
July 14, 1890 to Oliver AA^ood, son of George 
and Lucinda (Ayers) AVood of Newton. Oliver 
AA'ood was born in 1865. They are the parents 
(if .seven children, namely: (1) Lester E., born 
iNIarch 18, 1892. AVhen fourteen years of age 
he began working at the Coal Storage Plant at 
Ransom. Here he worked about a year. Later 
he was employed by Peter Finkler and Ira 
Dra1<e in Newton townshi]) at farm work. Oir 
the 9th of October, 1907 his mother moved 



Samuki. Gaednee was born Oct. 12. 1797 in 
Ransom, near the Goal Storage Plant; a son of 
Richard and Lji-dia (Chapman) Gardner. Sam- 
uel Gardner was twice married. His second 
wife was Margaret Smith, daughter of Elias and 
Catherine (Adams) Smith, who were among 
the pioneer settlers of Newton township. Mrs. 
Gardner was born April 22, 1822 and died in 
February, 1892. She was the mother of nine 
children: Elias A., Jeanie (died Avhen 5 jeavs 
old), Samuel, James, Catherine (died when 17 
years of age), Benjamin, Matilda, Eva and AVil- 
iiam (died when 5 years of age) .Mr. (-iardner 
had six children by his first wife, namely: 
Nancy, Mary, Jane, Sarah Ann, George and 
David.' Noiie of the six are living. 

Samuel Gardner died Dec. 1, 1890, aged 93 
years. 

AVILLIAM GAUL 

Mt. Gaul is a first-class carpenter and caliinet 
maker, living in what is known as I>iUle Ran- 
som or Mount Dewey. He was bora June 14, 



198 



HISTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



1854 in DuniiKiiv, iuul a sou (if William and 
Oatlierine (Sliafer Fern) ({aul. lie attended 
school only about two terms, and before eight 
years of age he began pieking slate in the Seran- 
ton Coal Drifts Breaker, where the coal wan 
.-■(•reencd in the old-fashioned way. with a gin 
and a imilc. Pie advanced lo mule driver, 
working until about fourteen. Then he began 
learning the woodworking trade in Joseph Ans- 
ley"s Planing Mill in Serantou. When about 
elexen years of age he entered a ])rivate night 
school in Serantou, attending about two years. 
\lv. ({aul was twice married. Pie was firrt mar- 
ried Oct. 10, 1S74 to Miss Kate D. Wolcott of 
Ahidsic. She was born Jan. 10, 1850 in Scrau- 
l(iu and died Sept. 4, 1882. She was a daughter 
ter of Squires and Hannah (Hines) Wolcott. 



father's house. (2) Charles, born May Ki, 1886, 
is a traveling salesman for the Rumford Baking 
Powder Company. (8) Leland S.. born April 
1. 1888, is a car inspector for the Lehigh \'alley 
R. R. Company at Savre. (4) Rav W., l)orn 
Jan. 24, 1890 and died Aug. 23, 1894. 

Wji. (jAvi., Sr., the father of our subject, 
was born in Frankfort-on-the-Meiue, France. 
He came to this country about 1830. When the 
war l)r()ke out between the North and the South, 
he enlisted as a private in Co. E 1st Pa. iVrtillery 
in the .spring of 1861 and was killed May 31, 
18(52 in the battle of Fair Oaks. He was mar- 
ried .soon after coming to this country to Mrs. 
Catherine Fern, to whom four children were 
born, namely: (1) William A., our subject, 
(2) Charles PL, born -Tuly 13, 1833 and married 




RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM A. GAUL 



Mr. and Jlrs. Gaul -were the parents of three 
children, namely : Jessie May, ,boru Jan. 12, 
1875 and died Jan. 10, 1882; WiUiam J., born 
Jan. 21, 1875 and married Anna Giles, and 
living in Scran ton. They have six children 
living and two buried; John T., born June 14, 
1879 and died May 21, 1883. 

Mr. Gaul married his second wife Oct. 10, 
1883 (nine years to the day from his first mar- 
riage) to Miss Sophia Annemans. She was 
born May 15, 1838 in Hazleton, and a daughter 
of John and Elizabeth C. (Stine) Annemans. 

Mr. Gaul had four sons born to his second 
wife: (1) Frank W., born July 31, 1884, and 
married Sept. 22, 190S to Miss Emma, daughter 
of John and Annie (Tannler) Moore of Scran- 
ton. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Gaul have one son. 
Howard Frank, born Oct. 13, 1909. Frank 
Gaul is a carpenter. He is living in part of his 



Miss Lizzie James, having four children, Ezra 
R., Pearl, Mabel and ^Vrchie. They are living 
in Taylor. (3) Lizzie A., bom March 5, 1859 
and married George Stevens of Madisonville. 
They have four sons, Eugene, Leroy, ITarold 
and Donald, They are living in Pittsburg. 
(4) Tracy, who died in infancy. 

AIrs. Catiierike Fern was born Feb. 9, 1818 
in Hesson, Germany, and came to this country 
about 1841. Her maiden name was Catherine 
Shafer. She married Peter Fern about 1840. 
To this union three children were born: Julius, 
John and p]lizabeth. Peter Fern went to Cali- 
fornia in 1849 to search for gold, and about one 
year later sent for his wife. LTpon arriving 
there she found that her husband was dead 
and buried. She was in a strange, and at that 
time a wild country, over three thousand miles 



PIISTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



199 



from her frieiid.s. She made the trip in a. r^ail- 
iug vessel from New York to the Isthmus ot 
Panama, crossiii,£>- the I.-^thiims with pack mule?:, 
and from there, by water to San Franeif^eo 
She was several m(.)nths making the trip. ^Vftei 
retnrninsj- to Pennsyh'ania. she soon married 
William Ganl, Sr. Ijy whom she had four chil- 
dren, namely: William A., born June 14, 1854: 
Charles H., horn Aug. lo, 1855, and died in 
August, 1907; Elizabeth A., born March 5, 
1850 and married Oeo. ^\^ Stevens. She i^ 
living in Pittsl>urg. '^I'iie foinlh cliild died in 
infancy'. 

John Annemaxs was born Sept. ■21. 1S27 in 
Belgium, France. His ]5arents died when he 
was only thirteen years of age. Then he began 
working on a sailing vessel as a sailor bov. Plere 



18(55, at liichmond, \'a. lie died Jan. 20, 
1900. His wife was born July 7, 1828 and 
died March 19, 1880. Mr. Aunemans was a 
charter member of Ezra S. Griffin Post, No. 
189, Scranton. Mr. and Mrs. Annemans had 
a family of ten children. 

•JOHN HOFFMAN 

Mr. Holl'man was born in (lermany, Oct. 28, 
1S51. and when eight years of age came to (liif- 
(Mjunlrv with In's ])arents arriving in Scranton 
.May 2'S. ISOO. 14iey were sixty-eight days on 
the water, landing in ISallimore. At lb;il linu 
no railroads were built l)etween BaUimori' and 
Philadelpliia, and they came in a stage, and 
from Philadelphia to Scranton by railroad. Mr. 
Hoffman ])urcliased the farm in Ransom town- 




JOHN HOFFMAN'S RESIDENCE. 



he was employed for thirteen years, and during 
this time met with many thrilling experiences, 
barely escaping death many times. He made 
liis last trip in 1852, meeting Miss Elizabeth C. 
Stine on the vessel, where they became ac- 
quainted. 

After reaching New York City the ship was 
condemned and never returned to the old coun- 
try. A few weeks later he walked. from New 
York to Hazleton, Pa., where Miss Stine was 
living. She became his wife in July, the same 
year. He lived in ITazleton until the beginning 
of the Civil War, when he was one of the first to 
enlist for nine months' service. After the ex- 
l)iratiou of nine months he returned to his 
family in Hazleton, and a few months later 
moved his family to Hyde Park. 

He re-enlisted ^larch 15, 1864 for three years 
in Co. A, 11th Reg. Pa. Cavalry, Ijut was dis- 
charged after the close of the Avar, on Aug. 13, 



ship, where he is now living, from Thomas 
Huthmaker in 187o, \\bere thev moved Sept, 
28, 1874. 

John Ilotlman was married Feb. 28, 187r) to 
Miss Elizabeth, daugliter of John ( b, Oct. 4, 
1826— d. Nov. 29, 1891) and Catherine (Barth) 
Maas of Ransom. Mrs. Maas \vas born Nov. ;>, 
1825 in (lermany and died Sept. 22, 1909. 
John Maas came to tliis country about 1846. 
]\Irs. Hoffman was b(jrn in Ransom Feb. 12. 
1.S5S, 

John Hoffman is the only son of Martin and 
(.'atherine (Getz) Hoffman. When a boy he 
decided to make fariiiiug his occupation which 
he has always followed. He and his falhei 
cleared the farm, Avhich was a wilderness when 
they came, and erected the buildings, built the 
fences, pulled tlie stumps and set out fruit 
trees. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman are the parents of 



200 



ILISTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



eight children, namely: Fredericlc, born Dec 
24, 1876 and married in .March, 1901 to Mist 
Margaret, daughter of Joseph ancl Sarah (Black- 
well) Breeze, and have one sou, Josei^h ; Cath- 
erine, born July 9, 1880, and married in Nov.. 
lOOo to Lewis Evans and ha\'e three children: 
Walter, Lelaud and Louise : Charles, born May 
9, 1882 and married April 25, 1905 to Miss 
Irene, daughter of Stephen and Georgia Ami 
J^akc, and have one son, Norman; .Tohn J. 
born Julv 30, 1884; Elnora, born Mav 26, 1886 . 
i\Iildred, bom Aug. 11, 1888; William, born 
Dec. 13, 1890; Ruth II. . born March 29. 1904 



lii-st husijaud was James V. Townseud, son of 
Oltadiah and Susan (Van Auken) Townseud, 
who died July 28, 1878. To the union of Mr. 
and j\Irs. James V. Townseud one daughter wa,s 
born: Elizabeth C, born Aug. 10, 1878. She 
married June 27, 1896 to William F. Misson, 
who was born Feb. 6, 1872, and a son of Peter 
and Helena (Newhart) Mission. Mr. and Mrs. 
William F. Mis.sion have one daughter, Helen 
E., born June 26, 1911. Their home is in 
Scranton, at 519 Harrison Avenue. 

Thomas J. Iluthmaker has four children 
Ijorn to liis second wife, namelv: Idella, born 




THOMAS J. HUTI-IMAKER'S RESIDENCE 



THOMAS J. HUTHMAKER 

Mr. Huthmaker is the only son of Jacob and 
Dolly (Siglin) Huthmaker, and was born near 
Ransom, Aug. 1, 1847. 

Thomas J. Huthmaker has been twice mar- 
ried. His lirst marriage was April 19, 1874 to 
Miss Julia, daughter of Philip and Catherine 
(Soricks) Shellenburger, (Peter Bedell and 
Miss Emma Rader were married at the same 
time and place, by the same minister. Rev. 
Compton.) 

Mr. Huthmaker has one daughter by his first 
wife, Catherine, born Sept. 18, 1875' and mar- 
ried Feb. 1, 1894 to Warren Dornblazer. They 
have three children : Ray, born Sept. 14, 1896 • 
Blanche, born Aug. 7, 1899 and Russell. 

Mrs. Julia Huthmaker died Dec. 6, 1881. 
jMr. Huthmaker was again married April 26, 
1882 to Mr.s Eliza (Courtright) Townseud. 

Mrs. Eliza Huthmaker was born in Monroe 
county. May 17, 1857. She is a daughter of 
Oliver and Caroline (Treible) Courtright. Her 



June 15, 1883 and married Nov. 18, 1903 to 
Edwin Stout, who have two daughters, Alma, 
born June 2, 1905 and Dorothy, born March 
10, 1910. They are living at 298 Baltimore 
Ave., West Pittston; Edna G., born July 2, 
1886 and married Nov, 28, 1906 to Adam B'. 
Miller, and have two sons, Edwin S., born Nov. 
,2, 1907 and Norman E., born Aug. 29, IFIO. 
'i hey are living on a farm in Ransom ; Thomas 
E., born .June 4, 1892 and Rhalda R., born 
Feb. 26, 1899. 

Jacob Huthmaker was a son of David, and 
was born in Monroe county, March 11, 1816 
and died May 8, 1900 in Ransom. He was 
married in Monroe county, Feb. 8, 1835 moving 
to Ransom the same year. His wife. Miss Dolly 
Siglin, was born in Monroe county, IMarch 20. 
1814 and died in Ransom Oct. 12', 1877, ILer 
parents were Jacob and Susan (Singer) Siglin. 
To the union of Jacob and Dolly Huthmakei 
four children were horn, namely: Susan, Cath- 
erine, Mary and Thomas J. 



HISTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



201 



Oliver Oourtright was born May 30, 1837 
and a son of Benjamin and Sarah (Ace) Court- 
right. He was married Feb. 15, 1855 to Miss 
Caroline (b. Nov. 15, 1835— d. May 9, 1871), 
daughter of John and Eliza (Ace) Treible. Mr. 
and Mrs. Oliver Courtright were the parents of 
three children : H. Eliza, born May 17, 1857 
and married Thomas J. Huthmaker. Horace, 
born June 26, 1860 and married Miss Minnie 
Clark and is living in Ransom ; Celeste, born 
June 9, 1862 and married I. T. Sinister and are 
living in West Pittston. Oliver Courtright is 
living with his daughter, Mrs. Thomas J. Huth- 
maker. 



moved the first day of April, 1910. His mother 
died August 20th the same year. 

Mr. Huthmaker has nine acres of flat land 
along the Susquehanna River where he raises 
tomatoes, cabbage, cucumber?, corn, etc., which 
he sells to Scranton dealers, making three and 
four trips a week during the summer months. 

David M. Huthmaker was born Sept. 24, 
1833 on the Cunningham farm, now owned by 
Louis Seible, above "the Ransom Home._ He 
taught school in his younger days. His first 
wife was Miss Barbara Dershiemer, who died 
several years ago. She was the mother of four 
children, namely: Frank, Mrs. Ada Hopkins, 




ROY H. HUTHMAKER'S RESIDENCE, TEAM AND WAGON. 
Tins picture was taken in September, 1911, just after Mr. Hutliraaker 
had finislied loading his ivagon with tomatoes, sweet corn and cabbage 
for Scranton. Tliis is a fair specimen of the thousands of loads of produce 
that are taken from Newton and Ransom townships to Scranton and Pitts- 
ton This house was built in ISC! bv Jacob Bertels for a store, which was 
purchased bv Fred Sandwaj- in 1S66. who kept a store and postoffice here 
for fifteen years or more. It has been used for a private dwelling for 
several vears, until purchased from Mr. Huthmaker by .1. P. VanOstrand 
in April,' 1912. Since then it has been occupied by Mr. VanOstrand for a 
store and postoilice. 



ROY HARLOS HUTHMAKER 

Mv. Huthmaker is a son of David M. and 
Anna (Harlos) Huthmaker. He was born 
June 22, 1889 in Ransom, on the farm now 
owned by W. A. Hantz. He attended the Ran- 
som ^"alley school until fourteen years of age. 
In September, 1904, he entered the West Pitts- 
ton High School for one term. On September 
20, 1905, he entered Wyoming Seminary, 
where he attended three years, the first two 
years taking a college preparatory course and 
the last year a commercial course. After his 
scliool days he returned to the old farin where 
he heljied his aged father until his death. After 
his father's death, Roy and his mother pur- 
chased the property known as the Sandway 
l^lace, opposite the Ransom depot, where they 



Mrs. Alice Jenkins and Mrs. Dora Maas, all liv- 
ing in West Pittston. His second wife was Miss 
Anna Harlos, daughter of Philip Harlos, Sr., 
of ilountain Valley. She was born Nov. 30, 
1861 and died Aug. 20, 1910. She had one 
son, Roy H., the subject of this sketch. 

David M. Huthmaker was elected justice of 
the peace in 1867, Avhich office he held until his 
death, Dec. 22, 1909. He had the honor of 
holding office longer (over 42 years) than any 
other person in "Lackawanna and adjoining 
counties. 

FRANCIS MARION IVES 

Mr. Ives is a son of William L. and Mary A. 
(Kern) Ives. He was born Oct. 9, 1854, in 
Ransom township, on the farm now owned by 



202 



I11S1T)RY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 




RESIDENCE OP FRANCIS M. IVES. 



Jupllui C. RiohaiTls. He received ii eoimmm 
school education, his early .school davs being 
spent in the old log school house near the Puur- 
soui Thniie. and his first teacher was Peter K. 
Richards. He learned the carpenter's trade 
when about twenty-two years of age. About 
1894 he purcha.^^ed the "Plymouth Star," which 



William L. Ives, father of our subject, was 
born in Plymouth, Dec. 28, 1821 and died at 
Ransom, May 19, 1897. He was a cabinet 
maker by trade, whicli occupation he followed 
until abiiut 18(51. lie then purchased the ferry 
at Ransom, which he operated until his death. 
His wife was Miss Marv A. Kern, daughter of 




RESIDENCE OF MICHAEJ^ G. KRAUSS 



he published for about six years. He now owns 
and operates the Ransom Ferrv. He was mar- 
ried July 24, 1901 to Miss Manila, daughter of 
■John and Anna Akens of Wyoming. 

Mrs. F. M. Ives was horn in Canada, Aug. 12, 
1857 and came to the United States with lier 
l^arents when about eighteen months old. 



(ieorge and ELsie Kern. She was born in West 
Pittston Sept. 28, 1828. She is the mother of 
six children, three of whom are living: Mrs. 
Alma Stamback and Mrs. Flora Gardner of 
Pittston and Francis M. Mrs. Ives died in 
Ransom, Jan. 11, 1912, of injuries received 
from a fall a iew days before. 



HISTORY OF RANSOai TOWNSHIP 



203 



MICHAEL G. KRAUSS 

Mr. Kraus,"' was l:)orii in Baverien, Germany, 
July 11, 1868 and came to this country in May, 
1884 to the home of his parents in Scranton, on 
Cedar Avenue, who came to this country about 
a year earher. He began working in ]\Iay for 
the Lackawanna Iron and Coal Company, where 
he worked for nearly ten years. In September, 
1893 he Ijegan working for the D., L. & AV. 
('ompany in the Hampton Breaker as outside 
laborer. Here he worked about thirteen years, 
and in December. 190() he changed to the Con- 
tinental Lumber Yards, which belong to the 
same company, where he has since worked. 

Michael Krauss was married January 24, 
1891 to Miss Margaret Metzner. She was born 



Michael, Lawrence, -John and Margaret. Mm.- 
({eorge Krauss died iNov. 22, 1904, and Mr. 
Krauts is living in Cedar Ave., Scranton. 

ALA' Y KROUSE 

Air. Krouse is a prosperous farmer and car- 
penter of Alountain A^dley. He was appren- 
ticed to the carpenter's trade when eighteen 
years of age, working the first year for sixt>- 
cents a day for E. B. Trivley, a fir.st-class car- 
jienter. Mr. Krouse soon gained a thorough 
knowledge of the occupation which he followed 
for fiver forty years. Since 1907 he has de- 
voted his time to farming, and for several years 
has been road supervisor, which has taken much 
of his time. 




UB-SIUENCE OF ALVY KROUSE 



July G, 1871 in (Tcrmany, near the birthplace of 
her husband, and came to this country in April, 
1.S88, when nearly seventeen years of age. She 
luis one sister living, Catherine, who married 
John Krauss, brother of our subject. Her bro- 
ther, Conrad, died when ten years of age. 

Mr. and Mrs. Krauss are the parents of 
eight children, namelv: (1) John A, born Dec. 
20, 1891. He is a cabinet maker. (2) Kath- 
ervn JI., born Alay 28, 1894. (3) Leonard AA\. 
born Feb. 2, 1896. He was caught hi the ma- 
chinery at the Hampton AA^ishery, where he 
was eniployed, and fatally injured, Oct. 17. 
1912, and died the same' day. (4) Henry J., 
born Nov. 18, 1898. (5) George F., born Apr. 
19, 1901. (6) Margaret E., born Aug. 27, 
1906. (7) Louise G., born June 15, 1908. 
(8) Ruth M., born Oct. 13, 1911. 

Our .•subject is a son of George and Margaret 
(Reuther) Krauss. They are the parents of 
six children, four of whom are living, namely: 



Air. Krouse is a scai of Joseph and Catherine 
( Huthmaker) Krouse and was bora Aug. 14, 
1849 in the log house on the farm now owned 
by Horace Courtright. With the exception of 
four years spent in AVilkes-Barre, fcom 1869 to 
1873, he has lived continuously in Ransom 
townshii). His early years were full of sad and 
trying experiences. At the age of eight he lost 
his mother by death, and two years later his 
father. After his mother's death he went to 
live with Peter Petty, but two years later his 
guardian, Geo. M. Trivley, took him to his 
iiome, where he lived until eighteen years old. 
Here he was treated as their own child. In 18TB 
he iiurchased part of the Geo. AI. Trivley farm, 

Mr. Krouse was married Alay 1, 1875 to Miss 
Alary Etta, daughter of Saumel and Alary 
(Ace) Michael of Alonroe county. Air. and 
Airs. Kr(nise united with the Evangelical 
Church in 1877, and have since been active in 
church and Sundav-scliool work. 



204 



HISTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



Joseph Krouse, our subject's father, was 
boru in 1813 and 'died Aug. 15, 1859. His 
wife, Catherine PTuthniaker, was born in 1821 
and died Sept. 1, 1857, aged 36 years, 8 raontlis 
and 26 days. They settled on the farm now- 
owned by Horace Courtright, about 1840. 

•TAjMES M. LACOE 

Mr. Lacoe is one of the progressive far- 
niers of Ransom townshi]). Pie is a son of 
William A. and Sybil (Ash) Lacoo and a 
grandson of Anthony Lacoe. (See Newk)ii). 
Mr. Ijacoe was born June 6, 1856, in Newton 
township, on the "homestead farm," now owned 
by J. F. Lacoe. He came to Ransoni township 
in March, 1880, moving on the farm now own- 



coc moved from near Pittston to iNicholson 
township about 1851. Here he lived five years. 
He owned and ran a saw-mill on the Tunk- 
liannoek creek. He moved from here to New- 
ton April 1, 1856. 

^Ir. and jMrs. William A. Lacoe had a large 
family of eleven children, namely: (1) Ame- 
lia, married Ostrander Richards of Mountain 
Valley. (2) Lewis S. is living in Michigan.' 
(3) Ira. (4) Wilham A., Jr. (5) Henry 
0. (Ira, William A. and Henry 0. are living 
in Kansas). (6) Charles E. (7) James M. 
(8) John F. (!)) Mary A., married Milton W. 
Petty and living in ]\Iilwaukie. (10) Joseph 
A. (11) Ada, died when ten years of age. 
Charles, John and Joseph are living in Newton 




RESIDENCE OF JAMBS M. LACOE 



ed by Joseph B. Munson. He moved to his 
present home Feb. 19, 1887. 

Mr. Lacoe was married March 2, 1878 to 
jMiss Barbara M., daughter of Philip and Susan 
(Dersheimer) Barrier of Ransom. Mr. and 
Mrs. Lacoe have a family of two children, 
namely: Clarence D. and Grace M. 

Mr. Lacoe produces from 8,000 to 15,000 
heads of cabbage, 900 to 1,500 bushels of po- 
tatoes, 400 to 1,000 bushels of apples a year. 
This last year he raised about 600 bushels of 
oats. He also sets from 4,000 to 6,000 tomato 
plants each year. Mr. Lacoe is the largest pro- 
ducer of apples in the township, having an 
orchard of 350 trees. He is assessor of Raii- 
.som township, being elected in Februarv, 1909. 
He has held several other township offices. 

"William A. Lacoe was born Jan. 30, 1820 
and died Feb. 23, 1910. He was a son of An- 
thony Lacoe, of Newton township. He mar- 
ried Sybil Ash, daughter of Ira Ash. Mr. La- 



CLARENCE D. LACOE 

jMr. Lacoe was born Sept. 1, 1878 in Ran.som 
township. He is a son of James M. and Bar- 
bara (Barrier) Lacoe. 

Mr. Lacoe entered Scranton Business College 
when seventeen years of age (November, 1896). 
Llere he attended four winter terms of four 
months each, taking a commercial course. He 
lived with his parents until twentj^six years of 
age, when he was married March 9, 1904 to 
Miss Elizabeth May, daughter of Martin and 
Polly (Keeler) Swartwood of Falls township. 
Since his marriage he has continued working 
for his father. 

Mrs. Lacoe was born May 6, 1883 in PitMon. 
Mr. and Mrs. Lacoe have a family of three chil- 
dren : Ellsworth A., born .Jan. 10, 1905: 
De Witt J., born April 17, 1906 and Gladvs M.. 
born Oct. 29, 1908. 

Martin Swartavood. born in Exeter, Lu- 
zerne county, June 28, 1857; a son of Alexan- 



HISTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



205 



del- and liulli Swai-twood. He manied Aliss 
PoUj' Keeler, daughter of Steam and Lydia 
Keeler. Mrs. Swartwood was born Nov. 15, 
1857. 

LEWIS A. LANDSIEDEL 

Mr. Landsiedel wa.s born near the Ransom 
Ihinie, Jan. 20, 1878, and has been a Hfelong 
resident of this township. His farther died 
wlien Lewis was seven years of age, and when 
(inly thirteen began working out on a farm. 
He "was married Jan. 28, 1902 to Miss Emma, 
daughter of Conrad and Carohne (Stermer) 
Ahias of Mountain Valley. Mr. and Mrs. Land- 
^i^■del have three children. [See Directory .) 



ton. He is a carpenter. (2) Jacob F., born 
July 14, 1861 and married Miss Hattie Black- 
well. She died Jlarch 2, 1900, leaving one son, 
Willard F., born May 8, 1898. He is living 
with his uncle, Lewis Landsiedel. (3) George 
I-L, born Oct. 10, 1871. (4) Emma, born 
Ajiril 29, 1873 and married our subject. Con- 
rad Maas i-ettled on the farm now owned by 
Lewis Landsiedel in 1861, purchasing seventy- 
two acres for $800.00, which was then a wilder- 
ness. He died Nov. 17, 1892. His wife died 
April 24, 1905. 

LIexry L.\ndsiedel, the father of our sub- 
ject, was born in 1847 in German}- and came to 
this country about 1870. He was married in 




RESIDENCE OF LEV^aS A. LANDSIEDEL. 



CuxRAD Maas, Jr., was born in Hesendarm- 
staat, Germany, Sept. 22, 1832, and came to 
this country about LS46, with his parents, Con- 
rad and Catherine (Hines) IMaas. Conrad and 
Catherine jMaas were the parents of four chil- 
dren: John, Julia (Mrs. Fred Weiscarger) Con- 
rad, Jr. and "\A^eutzel. Conrad Maas, Jr. was 
married March 8, 1862 to Miss Caroline Ster- 
mer, who was born Jan. 27, 1840 and came 
from Baden, Germany in 1860 to West Pitts- 
ton. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Conrad 
Maas, .Jr. four children were born, namelv: 
(1) William F., born Dec. 8, 1862 and married 
Miss Dora Huthmaker and living in West Pitts- 



LS*.") to Miss "Gertrude Brookhouse. She was 
burn in Gernjany, Oct. 30, 1848 and came to 
this country about 1870. Their family con- 
sisted of three children: Andrew, born in Feb., 
1877 and died in May the same year; Lewis A., 
our subject, and John, born in September, 1875 
and died when aljout six months old. Henry 
Landsiedel died Jan. 27, 1885. Llis widow is 
living with her son. 

THOMAS li. LEWIS 

ilr. Lewis was born in Baglan, South Wales, 
■Tan. 2, 1869. He is a son of Henry and 
Eleanor (Evans) Lewis of South Wales. Henry 



206 



HISTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



Lewis iri li\-iiig iu Sdulh Wales, aged 77 years. 
His wife died Nov. 6, 1897, ttged 66 years. 

Our subject received a couuxioiTi school educa- 
tiou iu liis native couutr}\ In 1899 lie took a 
uiiuiug course iu the luteruatioual Correspon- 
dence Schools. He was married Jan. 23, 1890 
to Miss IMary .Jane, daughter of David and 
Margaret (Thomas) Rowlands. Mrs. Lewis 
was born Oct. 12, 1870 in Glyinieath, South 
Wales. 

Mr. and Mrs. Lewis came lo this country 
Oct. 18, 1894, and lived iu Scrauton until Nov. 
1, 1904, when they moved to Spring Brook, 
nidviug from there to Ransom township No^•. 
1, 1907. Mr. Lewis is a miner by trade. 

Mr. and Mrs. Lewis, have a family of eight 
children living. (Sre Dirt'ctory). One daugh- 
ter, Maria Jane, ])orn Dec. 25, 1892, died Sept. 
.•;0. LS94, and is buried in South Wales. 



Charles Mayer was a Civil Engineer, working 
over twenty years for the D., L. & W. Coal Co. 
where he worked until liis death, March 11, 
1905.. He was instrumental iu getting a school- 
liou.se and an election board on this side of the 
mountaiu, and one (jf the proniolers of the jiulj- 
lic road from the corner at the Continental to 
the old "blind man's road" in Ransom town- 
.ship, in 1896. 

Mr. and Mrs. Mayer's family consisted of fif- 
teen children, and all are living excepting four, 
namely: Julia and Julius (twins), born Feb. 
13, 1882 and died al)out a week later. ^Nhu'v 
and Charlie (twins), born Jan. 26, 1880 and 
died a few days later. Eleven children arc liv- 
ing, the two oldest being born in Germauv, 
namely: (1) Anthony, born Sept. 5, 1878. In 
1896 he enUsted in the loth Regiment at the 
time of the Sjianish-American War. lift- rc- 




RKSilDENCE OF MRS. MARY MAYER 



MRS. MARIA MAYER 

Mrs. Mayer and her husband were among the 
early settlers of Mount Dewey, this portion of 
Ransom township being a wilderness when they 
moved here in 1889, and only five families were 
living here (John Moor, Frederick Biere, John 
Jones, Adam Rach, and Geo. ■\yitzel). Mr. 
Mayer cleared the farm and erected the build- 
ings. Mrs. Mayer was born May 7, 1859 iu 
Austria. She is a daughter of Andrew and lo- 
se] )hine (Hartens.chinder) Scheuster. 

Charles oNIayer, her husband, was born Aug. 
11. 1854 in Austria. They were married in the 
old country Oct. 29, 1877 ; came to this country 
in May, 1882, to Pittsburg, and moved to Dur- 
yea the same year, and one year later to Scran- 
ton, where they lived until 1889, when they 
moved to their present home. 



turned in 1898 and was married in June, the 
same year, to Miss Emily James. He is a fore- 
man in, the National mines. (2) Victor, born 
yii\y 19, 1880, and is working the home farm. 
He Avas ap]iointed Census Enumerator in 1900, 
and again iu 1910. (3) Charles, born Dec. 17. 
1884 in Duryea', and was married June 5, 1907 
to i\Iiss Anna Jones. He is a brick laver, living 
iu Hyde Park. (4) Erne.-t, born' Nov. 28, 
1886 in Scrauton, and married June 8, 1907 to 
Mi.'s Veronia Sheridan. He is a conductor, 
working for the Scranton Railway Co. (5) 
•losephine, born Feb. 23, 1888. '(6) August, 
born Dec. 4, 1890 and is weigh ma.ster at Na- 
tional mines. (7) Rol)ert, born Nov. 5, 1892 
and is a carpenter. (8) Pauline, born Jan. 23, 
1895. (9) Grace, born Sept. 18, 1896. (10) 
Joseph, born Nov. 29, 1898. (11) Otto, born 
Jan. 6, 1911. 



HISTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



207 



JOHN P. MAAS. 

The JNIaas' were among the early settlers of 
Rausoin township. 

Our subject, John P. JMaas, was born on the 
old homestead. March 25, 1868. He was mar- 
ried October 30, 1890 to Miss Mary, daughter 
of Philip and Adiliah Stoft, of Ransom. To 
this union two children were born : .John, who 
died in infancy, and David, born June 7, 1893. 
Mr. Maas wa.^ again married September 10, 
1907, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Charles 
and Anna (Merrihew) Grose of Laceyville. By 
this marriage two children were born, namely: 
Lucy, born August 3, 1909 and Truman B., 



and was exceeding jjopular. ^Ir. and Mrs. John 
Maas were the parents of nine children : Mrs. 
Julia Schultheis, Mrs. Elizabeth Hoffman, 
^lary, who died when aljout nine years old, 
Mrs. Catherine Avers, Mrs. Rose Coolbaugh, 
AA^ntzel, who died November 12, 1909, Mrs. 
Anna Desky, John, our subject, and Mrs. Mar- 
garet Harlos. 

Charles Grose was born October 18, 1834, 
and died December 12, 1907. His wife, Anna 
Merrihew, was born August 1, 1847, in Jlil- 
ford, N. J., and is living with her daughter, 
Mrs. John P. Maas. She has been an invalid 
for eleven vears. 




RESIDENCE OF JOHN P. MAAS. 



born October 2, 1910. 

John ^Iaas came to Ransom with his parents 
about 1846, and settled on the farm now owned 
by our subject. John ilaas was born in Nei- 
derweisel, Hessen Darmstadt, Germany, Octo- 
ber 4, 1826 and died in Mountain A^illev, 
Oct. 13, 1892. He was married about 1853 
to Miss Catherine Barth, who was born in 
Germany November 3rd, 1825 and died Sep- 
tember 22, 1909. She came to this country 
when about seventeen years of age. John 
Maas was held in high esteem by all who knew 
him. He was honest, industrious and frugal, 



JAMES McCABE 

Mr. ^IcCabe is the oldest of a family of ten 
children, six of whom are living. He was born 
in Longford county, Ireland, June 3, 1860. 
When seven years old he came to this country 
with his mother, landing in New York City, 
^lay 23, 1867. His father came two years 
earlier. They came to Black Walnut, Wyom- 
ing county, in June the same year. When only 
nine yeai-s of age he carried water to the labor- 
ers, who were building the Lehigh A^alley Rail- 
road at that time where he earned $165.00 at 
$1.00 per day, which was no small sum for a 
boy of his age. In ilarcli, 1874, before he was 



208 



HISTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



fourteen j^ears of age, he was employed by the 
Lehigh Valley Railroad Oouipany as a laborer 
on the section. Here lie worked for six years, 
after which he was jjrornoted to section bossi, 
July 1, 1888. He has held this position for 
over thirty-one j'ears. 

Mr. McCabe has been twice married. His 
first wife, Miss Ellen Foley of Wyalusing, was 
born Sept. 11, 1850 and died May 13, ''1894. 
They were married Sept. 21, 1881, and to this 
union five children were born, namely: Mary, 
born May 21, 1883 and married June 19, 1910 
to Joseph IMulhern, a prominent young lawyer 



was born in New York City, June 7, 1870, and 
came to Wyalusing township with her parents 
when about seven years of age. She attended 
school in ^^'yalusing until 1880 when she enter- 
ed the Catholic School at Towanda, from whicli 
she graduated two years later. To this union 
six children, four sons and two daughters were 
born. Their names and date of birth may Ix' 
found in the Directory. Both, Mr. jMcCabc's 
father and grandfather, were named James, and 
Mr. McCabe has a son having the same name, 
keeping the name in the family for four suc- 
cessive generations. 




RANSOM STORE. 
Occupied by .T. P. VanOstrand when picture was taken, but since May 1, 1912, by Charles Getz. 



of Wilkes-Barre, and they have one daughter, 
jMarion, born in May, 1911; Alice, born June 
14, 1884, and is a trained nurse at Clifton 
Springs, N. Y. ; James, Jr., born Jan. 15, 1886, 
and enlisted in the U. S. Navy in October, 1909. 
He is a machinist on the U. S. Ship Panther; 
David, born May 22, 1887 and died in Febru- 
ary, 1901; Leo, born Oct. 19, 1888 and is a 
machinist at Kingston, N. Y. 

I\Ir. jMcCabe was married again, July 19, 1901 
to Miss Anna Burk, daughter of Michael and 
Ellen (Phinney) Burke of Hornet's Ferry, she 
living on the same place where Mr. McCabe's 
first wife lived when they were married. She 



J.VMES McCabe, SR.was born in Ireland, Aug. 
15, 1840, being the only child. He was mar- 
ried in May, 1859 to Miss Catherine Daley 
(born Nov. 19, 1842) to whom ten children 
were born, six of whom are living, namely: 
James, the subject of this .sketch; Marv, born 
Feb. 14, 1863'; Jane, born March 30, 1868; 
Dennis, born Oct. 19, 1870; Michael, born Sept. 
1, 1872 ; Margaret, born July 12, 1879. 

JNIr. McCabe came to this country in April, 
1865, when James, (the .subject of this sketch) 
was only five years of age, and two years later 
his family followed. They were thirty-eight 
days making the voyage in a sailing vessel. 



HISTORY OF RyVNSOM TOWNSHIP 



209 



ilr. McCabe was a section bose on the Lehigh 
Valley R. R. at Skinner's Eddy for twenty-six 
j^ears. He died in Sayre, Jan. 22, 1907 and 
his wife died Jnne 14, 1911, and both are bnried 
in Sayre. 

PETER S. METZGAR 

Mr. Metzu;ar was Ixirn in Monroe county Dec. 
16, 1847. He came to Lackawanna county 
when nineteen years of age. He is a son of Bar- 
nett D. Metzgar. He was married Dec. 24, 1885 
to Miss Ada, daughter of ^^^illiam and Margaret 
(Ace) Blackwell. Mr. and Mrs. Metzgar have 
only one sxm living; William II., born Sept. 14, 
188(), and is living with his parents. Two chil- 
dren died when small, namelv: John C, born 



the close of the Rebellion. His family consisted 
of seven children, namely: Peter S., Edward M., 
George L., Mary Ann, Henrj^, Joseph and Cy- 
rus. Only three are living: Peter, George and 
Joseph. 

William Blackwell was born in Wilkes- 
Barre Jan. 17, 1830. He was a son of Israel 
and Sarah (Bates) Blackwell, who were the pa- 
rents of eight children, only one of whom is 
living, Charles of Avoca. William Blackwell 
M'as married Dec. 25, 1852 to Miss Margaret, 
daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Walter) Ace. 
{See Geo. W. Ace.) 

Mr. and Mrs. William Blackwell were the pa- 
rents of eight children, namely: (1) Sarah, born 
Aug. 12, 1853 and married -Toseph Brezee. (2) 




RESIDENCE OF PETER S. METZGAR, 



Aug. 12, 1888 and died Feb. 19, 1902 : Nellie 
May, born May 12, 1897 and died Feb. 22, 
1901, 

The ]\letzgar's formerly came from Germany. 
Our subject's greatgrandfather, Joseph jMetzgar, 
was born in Germany about 1741 and came to 
]\Ionroe county. His family consisted of six 
children. 

Our subject's grandfather, Peter Metzgar, was 
born in Monroe county. He married ^liss 
Hannah Sobers, to whom seven children were 
born : Timothy, Maria, Hannah, Isaac, Ferdin- 
ando, Barnett and Joseph. 

Barnett-D. jMetzgar, father of our subject, 
l)orn in Monroe county about 1825 and died in 
Wyoming county in 1894. He married Miss 
Eleanor, daughter of Samuel and Marj^ Ann 
(Felker) Evans of Monroe county. Mr. Metz- 
gar enlisted the first time in October, 1861, serv- 
ing for one year. He re-enlisted and served to 



-Mary E., jjuru Se])t. 24. 1854 and married Ed- 
ward M. ^letzgar. (:]) John i\I., born ^larch 
20, 1857 and nuu'ried Miss Ellen N. Miller. (4) 
(Georgia Ann, born July 5, 1859 and married 
Stephen Lake. (5) Emma D., born Oct. 4, 
1861 and married Christopher Landsidle. (6) 
Ada, born April 25, 1864 and married Peter S. 
Metzgar. (7) Matilda, born March 4, 1867 
and died April 10, 1879. (8) Llarriet G.. born 
Aug. 4, 1870 and married Jacob Maas. 

About 1868, :\Ir. and Mrs. Blackwell settled 
on the farm now owned by Frederick Hoffman, 
above Milwaukie. Mr. Blackwell died Julv 19, 
1906_. Mrs. Blackwell was born Sept. 24, 1882, 
and is living with her daughter, ^Irs, Peter S. 
Metzgar. 

EDWIN S. MILLER 

]\Ir. jMiller is one of Ransom's most progres- 
sive agriculturists, owning a productive farm 



210 



HISTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



ill Mouulaiu \'alley. He i;^ tmu i)f the large.<l 
dairynieu in the townshij:), kec-'[)iug a dairy of 
forty cows. He has a retail milk route in 
Moosic and Avoca, where he ha.s run a wagon 
every day since ^hiy, lOOo. 

Mr. Miller sold tlie fir.^t milk from Ransom 
townshi]) in Scranton, in Ahiy, LSilO. His 
barn is well equipped, and his milk house is 
s,u])])lied with running water, from a cool, pure 
and never-failing spring. 

In connection with the milk business. Mr. 
Miller jirodnces about 4.n0() quarts of lilackber- 
ries, 1 .').(»()() heads of cabbage. .')(»() to (iOO Imsh- 
t'ls of potatoes, and a quantity of hay and corn 
each year. 

Our subject is a .-on of Peter I!, and Ellen 
(Miller) i\Iillor of Monroe county. 



moved to Ransom on the John Patterson farm, 
where part of the Coal Storage Plant is now lo- 
cated, and the house is now used by the Coni- 
])any for an office. In 1889 they moved to 
Newton township on the Kern Pariii (now 
owned by Peter Corselins), where tliey lived 
until ISJO."). Then they returned to KaiL-'om 
townshij) and purchased the farm where they 
now live near Mihvaukie. 

•Fosc])!! B. Munson was married May 'io, 1904 
to Miss Blanch i\I., the only daughter of Samuel 
J. and Catherine (Barrier) AVinters. (See 
S<(miiel J. Winters.) 

Mr. and Jlrs. Alun.son jnu'chased and moved 
to their present home in November, 190.>. 
Their familv consists of three children, namely: 
Kathrvn C'born -Tnlv 21, 1907; Helen .1., liorn 




RESIDENCE OP CHARLES MUSSEI.MAN. 



ADA-M B. MILLER 

Mr. Miller is a son of Edwin S. and Sarah 
(Michaels) Miller of Mountain Valley. Adam 
B. was born Sept. 21, 1884. Lie has a common 
school education. He was married Nov. 28, 
190G to Miss Edna, (iracc, daughter of Thomas 
•I. and Eliza Huthmaker of Milwankie. (See 
Tlioinas J. Iluth maker) . 

Mr.-'.. Miller was born -Inly 2, 1886 on the 
homestead farm. Mr. and i\Irs. Miller have 
two children: Edwin S., born Nov. 5, 1907, 
and Norman Earl, born Aug. 29, 1910. 

Mr. Miller is working for his father on the 
Ikiiiic farm. 

•JOSEPH B. MHNSON 

Mr. Alunson was born Dec. H, 1881 in West 
Pittstoii. flerc he lived until iive years of age, 
wlieii his i>arents,, John and Pcrnilla Munson, 



born June 17, 1909, and Mildred, horn Mav 23, 
1912, 

CHARLES MUSSELMAN 

Mr. Mussehnan is the only son of Charles, 
Sr. and Hannah (Mussehnan) Mussehnan. He 
was born in Hamilton, Monroe county, Dec. 13, 
1857. His father was born in Germany, and 
was one of the best shoemakers in Monroe 
county. He died in 1858, and his wife was 
married twice again. Her second husband was 
Edward Setzer, and her third marriage was to 
Henry Able. She died in Monroe county. 
March 12, 1909. She wa.s the mother of two 
children, one by her first husband, who is the 
subject of this .sketch, and Edward Setzer, Jr., 
who is living in Bangor. 

Our subject received a common school educa- 
tion in Monroe county. His father died when 
Charles was only six months old. He was 



HISTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



211 



brought up by his maternal grandijarents, who 
like many others of their day, had a large fami- 
ly of fourteen children, and Charles began 
working out ^vhen only ten years of age. When 
nineteen years of age, he left Monroe county 
and came to Exeter townrihi2J, Luzerne county. 
Here he worked for E. A. Corey (across the 
river from Ransom ) about four years. He was 
married May 12, 1879 to Miss Matilda Gard- 
ner, daughter of Sanu^el and Margaret (Smith) 
Gardner of Ransom. {See EUas A. Gard- 
ner) . 

Mrs. Matilda Mussehnan was born in Ran- 
som, Sept. 7, 1862. She received her educa- 
tion in the district schools. 



moved 1(1 Pittston, where he rented a large farm. 
Aljout 184;-5 he moved to South Wilkes-Barre 
and purchased a grist mill which he ran until 
about four years before hia death, when he 
returned to Wilkes-Barre. Ilere he died about 
l(S()(i, aged 82 years. While he was living in 
Monroe county, he was married to Miss Lydia 
Stroh. She died in 188o, aged 86 years. Her 
l)areuts came from Germany. Mr. and Mrs. 
Pettv had four children: Peter, born April 1, 
1816 and died Nov. 16, 1874; Levi, born 1818 
and died in Colorado ; Naomi Wagner, born in 
1821 and died 1904 ; Mathias. born in Wilkesv 
Barre in 1880 and died at P)erwick in February, 
1908. 




RESIDENCE OB" MILTON W. PETTY. 



Mr. and Mrs. Mussehnan are the parents of 
seven children, namely: Edgar, born Sept. 26, 
1877 and married Miss Laura Ewing. and have 
one daughter, Grace. They are living in Phil- 
adelphia; Eva, born Dec. 22, 1880 and married 
Peter Bedell and have four children, and living 
in Ran.som ; James, born May 22, 1883 and 
married Agnes Bloser and living in Wilkes- 
l^arre; Florence B., born March 20, 1890 and 
died July 26, 1890: Viola and Jola, the twins, 
born .Inly 28, 1892. Jola died Aug. 2, 1892 
and "\^iola died Aug. 8, 1893 ; Victor Dewey, 
born Aug. 16, 1897, is living at home. 

Mr. Musselman has been employed by the 
Lehigh A'^alley Railroad Co. for over twenty 
years. 

THE PETTY FAMILY 

The Petty's are of French ancestry. William 
Petty came from Connecticut about 1804 and 
settled in Monroe county, Pennsylvania. Sev- 
eral years later he moved to Luzerne county and 
lived on a farm near Wilkes-Barre. Later he 



Peter Petty was born in Monroe county, 
iVpril 1, 1816 and came to Luzerne county when 
a boy with his parents. He was married in 
1837 to IMiss Sarah, daughter of Christian and 
Sarah (Stoekel) Nagle of Northampton county. 
;\Irs. Petty was born March 7, 1819 in Hanover 
township 'and died Nov. 19, 1896 in Milwaukie. 

jNlr. and Mrs. Petty moved from Pittston to 
Milwaukie in 1852, where the}'' purchased the 
farm now owned by their son, Milton. They 
were the parents of eight children, namely: 
•Tennie, born Sept. 17, 1838 and died Nov. 1, 
1882; Sarah Ann, born Dec. 29, 1839 and mar- 
ried N. G. Reed and lives in JMilwaukie; Wil- 
liam J., born Feb. 20, 1841 and died in August, 
1845 at four years of age ; Leander, born March 
8, 1843 and died in August, 1845, only two or 
three days after the death of William; Amy 
A., born Feb. 3, 1846 and married Samuel 
Decker, and is living in iNicholson with her 
son. Dr. Y. C. Decker; Lydia E., born March 
11, 1849 and married Samuel Rose and is liv- 
ing in Worthington, Minn.; Mildred N. and 



212 



HISTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



Milton W., (twins), were born June 29, 1859. 
Mildred married William Klipijle and is li\'iiig 
in ]\lihvaukie. Milton is living on the old 
homestead in Milwaukie. 

MILTON WAGNER PETTY 

Mr. Petty is one of the largest truck and fruil 
growers ia Ransom and Newton townships, and 
about the tirst to produce berries this side of 
the mountain. About 1880 he started with 
raspberries, and a few years later produced over 
four hundred Ijushels of strawberries in a sea- 
son. He has a vineyard of about three hun- 
dred fine grape vinesi and over one hundred and 
fifty 2^ear and plum trees. 

Mr. Petty was born .Tune 29, 1859 on the 
farm where he now lives, which has always been 
his home. He is a son of Peter and Sarah 
(Nagle) I'elty. {Sec I'efcr I'dtij). He was 
married Sept. 20, 1880 to i\liss .Mary, daughter 
of WiUiam A. and Sybil (Ash) Lacoe of New- 
tun townshiji. (See Newton Iliafonj). 

Mr. and Mrs. Petty have a family of six chil- 
dren living, namely: Oswald W., William ('., 
Frank, Mildred N., Sybil R. and (ieorge Iv 
Two sons and one daughter died in infancy, 
namely; Ray, Homer and Minnie. 

OSWALD WARD PETTY 

0. W. Petty is a popular nn'rchant in the vil- 
lage of Milwaukie, keeping a full line of gro- 
ceries and general merchandise for a small 
town. In May, 1905, he was employed as 
clerk by J. C. Biesecker, and in March, 190B 
purcha^ed a half interest and the business was 
conduclcd for about a year under the firm 
name of Biesecker & Petty. In April, 1907, 
Mr. Biesecker sold his interest to William Petty, 
and for three years the store was run by Petty 
Brothers. On April 1, 1910 the partnership 
was dis.solved and since that time, 0. W. Petty 
has been the ,^ole owner. 

Mr. Pettv is a i^on of JMilton W. and Mary 
(Lacoe) Petty, and was Ijorn Feb. 7, 1883. He 
attended school at Milwaid^ie until about seven- 
teen j^ears of age; and in September, 1904 he 
entered the East Stroudsburg Normal School. 
Here he attended t)ne term. He was married 
March 3, 1909 to Miss Mary, 
V. and Margaret (Klipple! 
township. 

Airs. Petty was born in Flatbrook. Sussex 
county, iN. J., Jan. 26, 1881, and came to Mil- 
waukie with her j^arents when less than two 
years of age. She attended school at Alilwan- 
kie until ten years, of age, when her parents 
moved to Newton township on the farm where 
they now live, where she attended the Lacoe 
school until about sixteen. In September, 1898 
she entered East Stroudsburg Normal School, 



daughter of Chas. 
Decker of Newton 



where she attended one year. In September, 
1899 she commenced leaching at the Co.s- 
ner School, and after teaching one year she re- 
turned to the Normal School where she gradu- 
ated in June, 1901. She then taught seven 
terms in Newton and Ran.som. Mr. and Mrs. 
Pettv have one son, Charles M., born Alarch 
8, 1!)09. A daughter was born Dec. 10, 1911. 




n. \V. PIOTTV 

WHj;i.VM 0. PETTY 

Mr. Petty was born Nov. 5, 1884 on the home- 
stead farm. He attended school at Milwaukie 
uiitil about seventeen years of age. In Sep- 
tember, 1906 he connuenced a commercial 
course at the Scrauton Business College, where 
he remained for three months. In January, 
1907 he engaged in the mercantile business in 
l.)artnershi]i with his brother, , Oswald. Hei'e he 
remained for three vears. He was married June 
25, 1908 to Mi.'^s Elizabeth, daughter of George 
Rader. Thev have two children, Ruth, born 
Sept. 12, 1909 and William M., born June 29, 
1911. 

LEWIS E. POWELL. 

Lewis E. Powell was born May 22, 1867 in 
Oxford, N. J., and when six months old his 
parents moved to Sci'anton. When eight years 
of age he began working in the Hampton coal 
l^reaker (one of the oldest breakers in Scran- 
ton ) , picking slate. When ten years of age 
his ]iarents moved to Taylor, where he worked 
in the Taylor breaker for two years. AVhen 
only twelve years of age he began working in 
the mines as door boy. Two years later he ad- 
\anced to mule driver, and gradually worked 
his way up to the different stations of the worlc 
in the mines, until 1889, when twenty-two 
years of age he began mining coal. Twenty- 



HISTORY OF RANSOM TOAVNSHIP 



213 



five years of his life were spent workiag in and 
ai-ound the mines. He moved to his present 
liome April 5, 1898. where he is a prominent 
truck grower. He was elected tax collector in 
February, 1898 and reelected in 1896. 

Mr. Powell attended day school only one 
term, when seven years old. AMien seventeen 
yeai-s of age he entered Woods Business Col- 
lege in Scranton, where he attended nights for 
nearly five years, where he finished his educa- 
tion. ' He was married to iliss Gertrude Cham- 
bers, daughter of James and :\Iartha (Williams) 
Chambers of Scranton. :Mrs. Powell was born 
February 9, 1869 in Pittston. Pier parent^ 
moved to Scranton when she was about two 
years of age, where she attended school until 
sixteen. 



Mr. and Uiv. ^V. J. Powell were the parents 
of thirteen children, seven sous and six daugh- 
ters, namely: (1) Lewis E., our subject; (2) 
William H'., born August 14, 1868 and mar- 
ried Miss Anna Mav Bennett, and have one 
child. Waher. They are living in Taylor: 
(3) David D., born INlay 2. 1870 and married 
?*Iiss Hattie Fralev. daughter of William and 
Caroline (Baker) 'Fraley. They have three 
children: Hazel. William and Norman. They 
also live in Taylor; (4) Ida, born June 2, 1872, 
and is living in Hvde Park; (5) John, born 
()ctol>er 30.' 1874.' and married Miss Anna 
\Mnte, and have two children living and re- 
side in Taylor. She is a daughter of -James 
White of Moosic: (6) Lizzie, born Dccemljer 
IS. 1876, and is living in Michigan; (7) 




RESIDENCE OF LEWIS E. POWELL 



Mr. and Mrs. Powell have one son and a 
daughter, namely : Eugene C. born Decemljer 
30, 1889; Myrtle J., born July 4, 1897. 

Watkin J. Powell, our subject's father, was 
born in Wales, February 22. 1844, and came 
to this country when about eight years of age, 
with his parents. He was married September 
1, 1866 to Miss Margaret, daughter of David 
D. and Rachel (Davis) Evans of Wales. Mrs. 
Watkiu Powell Avas born Augu.st 17, 1848 in 
Scranton, and died as stated above, October 31. 
1890. Her father. David D. Evans, was bt>rn 
in 1822 and died in Michigan in 1909, and 
his wife, Miss Rachel Davis, was born in 1825 
and died in 1910. Mr. and ]\Irs. David D. 
Evans' family consisted of five daughters and 
three .sons, namely: Margaret, John, Jemmima. 
Evan, Mamie, Sarah, Priscilla and William, 
all being born in Scranton. 



Fanny, born April 30, 1879. and married 
Thomas Robinson and have three children : 
Edward, Elmer and Helen. They also live in 
Hyde Park. Thomas is a sou of Isaac Robin- 
.son: (8) Arthur, born in September, 1881. 
and died in October. 1882. The five young- 
est, (9) Walter, (10) Rachel, (11) Martha, 
(12) Mamie and (13) Margaret, and the 
mother died within five months, from June 5 
to October 31, 1890. The mother died of a 
broken heart after the death of her five chil- 
dren, and the father and husband was nearly 
driven frantic with grief. 

Martha died June 5th of black diptheria. 
aged eight years. Rachel, aged ten, after the 
death of her sister, pined away, and died two 
weeks later, June 21st. ^Margaret, aged four- 
teen months, died in July of membraneous 
croup, and three weeks later Mamie, aged six 
years, died with the same disease. The first 



214 



HISTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



(if S('|i|('iiilier, \\'al(or. ;i,t2,ed 
fnini :i loiid (if liay. caiisinti,' 
llif luu.ti;.-, (lyiii^- (w(i wet'ks luivv. 
ell. the nidther, (iied October olsl. 
|iicllliv ediild lie |iaiiited. 

Jamks OiiAMisEKy, father of .Mr- 
ell, was b(ini February '27. l.SKi 
and eaiiie Id this eduiitry with 
when a small child, and settled 
where Scraiitdii is iidw Idcaled. 
born ill Ireland, he and his parents were not 
Irish, and were staunch .Melhddists. lie was 
barn l)(iss at the Archibald iiiiiie hir ^everal 
yeai-s before his death. lie was a man with 
many friends, and was hdiiest and n|iriu,ht in 
all his dealings. 



eleven, juiiijied 
heomorrhaji;e of 
Mrs. Pow- 
No sadder 

Lewis PdW- 

iu Ireland. 

his parents. 

(Ill a farm 

Although 



giisl 2JS, the fdlldwiiig year, 
(lied Octolier 25, 11)00.' Airs. 
iiig Avitli lu'r dautihter. .Mrs. 



Mr. Chambers 
Chambers is liv- 
*owell. 



GEORCE W. i;.\l)ER 

Mr. Rader was born on (ierman Hill in Paii- 
som. October 2(5, IS.IO. He is a son of John 
Kader, who was bom in (Tcrmany April 2, ISPS 
and .sailed across the ocean about 1836 and 
came to Puzeriie county. He worked in Exeter 
tdwiislii]i, near Harding, about three years. Pie 
then came to Ransdiii and bought a farm on 
(Ierman Hill, where he built a log house in the 
wilderness. Later he was married to ^lis- 
Catherine Walters, daughter of Henrv ;md 
Catherine (Kress) Walters. She (.Mrs.. Rader) 




UKyiUENCK OF C^KOrKiE W. RADER. 



Mr. Chambers enlisted March 15, PSGI. in 
Irwin Bacon's Company M, 11th Pa. Cavalry. 
and participated in the following battles: .lar- 
rett's Station, Va.. May 7, PStil; City Point, ^'a.. 
Mav 17,PS(>4: Petersburg, ^^a., June 9 and June 
lo,'l8(i4; Staunton Bridge, Ya., .Tune 27. 1864: 
Fair Oaks, ^"a.. Septemlier 20. lS(i4: Reams 
Station, Y-a.. ,\ugnst 25. 1864: .James River, 
y-d., October 8, 1864; Darlivtown Road, Octo- 
ber 7, 1864; Richmond, Vn.'. October ;'.0, 1864; 
New Market Heights, Ya., December 10. 1864: 
Five Forks, Va.^ April 1, 1865: Deep Creek. 
Ya.. April 3, 1865. Discharged -Tuly 16 1865. 
He was never wounded in battle. He was mar- 
ried .Inly :!. 1866, to Miss :Martha Williams. 
She was liorn in iMilwaukie, Se]itember 15. 
1848. and a daughter of Peter and ^lary (Ace) 
A\'illiams of Scranton. ^Ir. and ^Irs. James 
Chambers were the parents of l^^■(l children: 
(lertrude. the wife of oiu' subject, Mr. Powell, 
and -Jennie, born August 6, 1871, and died \i\- 



was liorn Oct. 21, 1818 in New Jersey and died 
.\]m\ 17, 1892 on Cerman Hill. Mr. Rader 
died April 9, 1899. They had a family oi 
eight children, namelv: Phillip, born Nov. 3, 
1840 and died -Jan. 27, 1002; Mary,, born -July 
27, 1851 and married Horace Holcomb ilay 10, 
1893; Henry, born May 23, 1853; Emma, born 
•June 10, 1855 and married Peter Bedell, April 
19, 1874 and died Mav 31, 1901; Rosanna, born 
Nov. 12, 1856 ; .John, born March 7, 1858 and 
died April 2, 1865; George W., born Oct. 26, 
1859; William, born Dec. 18, 1862 and died 
Dec. 30, 1906. 

(leorge W. Rader received a conunon school 
education. He has always followed farming. 
He was married Sept. 23, 1885 to Miss Catli- 
erine, daughter of Chri.stopher and Elizabeth 
(Klipple) Zeiss of JMilwankie. Mr. and Mrs. 
Zeiss were born in Germanv and were mari'ied 
Ajjril 30, 1848 and -Tuly 6th' the same year, they 
sailed for this country. 



HISTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



215 



;Mi-, and ^hv. Rader have three daughleis: 
Elizabeth, boni Aug. 16, 1886 and was uiarried 
June 25, 1908 to WiUiani C. Petty of Mihvau- 
kie; Catherine M., born Aug. 29. 1887 and 
Marion R., born may 20, 1896. One «in, 
Christopher, born April 11, 1891 and died May 
11, 1893. Two daughters died in infancy. 

.TEPTHA C. RICHARDS 
Mr. Richards is one of the leading agricul- 
turalists of Ransom township, owning one (>f 
the best producing farms in this section. His 
main crops are hay, potatoes and cabljage; cut- 
ting over fifty tons of hay, and producing from 
90() to 1,200' bushels of potatoes a year. Thi-^ 



Husiness College, is working on the farm with 
his father. .James L., a student at Wyounug 
Senunarv, prei)aring for a physician; and Wil- 
liam N." 

Peter K. Richards was born Septeml)er 13. 
1,S;')2. He was the first steward of the Ransom 
Home. His wife was born March 10, 1838. 
She was a daughter of Peter Corselius, Sr. Mr. 
and Mrs. Richards' family consists of four sons 
and two daughters, namely: Floyd P.; -leptha 
C . the subject of this sketch; -Jessie (Mrs. Na- 
than Sutton), Dorcas (Mrs. Earl Decker); 
Charles G., a Presbyterian minister in Auburn, 
N. Y.; Parke K., also a Presbyterian minister, 
is located in AVaverly, N. Y. 




-m- '^ ■ 



HijMli; OF .JEPTHA 0. RICHARDS. 



year he raised about 1(),00() heads of cabbage, 
and former vears from 10,000 to 12,000 heads. 
He also raises about 2tt0 bushels of rye and 
from 300 to 400 bushels of oats a year. His 
farm is in first-class state of cultivation, and is 
increasing in fertility by the addition ofabout 
200 loads of manure, which he buys in Pittstou 
each vear. 

Our subject is, a st)n of Peter K. and Rosma 

(Corselius) Richards, who are now livuig m 
West Pittston, but for luany years lived in Ran- 
som on the farm now owned by Amos Learn. ^ 
Jeptha G. Richards was born March 30, 1861 

in Ransom, and has always lived on a farm. 

He was married Oct. 16, 1889 to MisK Eleanor 

M., daughter of Charles and Mary (Lanter- 

man) Newman of .Newton township. IMrs. 

Richards was born Oct. 11, 1863 and died Feb. 

15, 1911. 

Mr. Richards' family consists of three sons, 

namely: Russell C, a graduate of Wyoming 



grower of Mountain VaUey. 
yard which produced nearly 
ba-kets of grapes this 
V ' ' 



LESLIE FRANK RICHARDS 
.Mr. Richards is a progressive truck and fruit 

He has a vhie- 
300 half-bushel 

„ ...., ... ..^--.i-^. easou, the three leading 

arieties being the Niagara, Wardon and Con- 
cord. He is 'the largest grower of grapes and 
currants in Ransom township, producing oy_er 
300 quarts of currents in 1911, and setting 350 
more plants. He is an extensive grower of 
strawberries, picking 1,300 quarts, and setting 
over 4,000 plants this year. He has 100 plum 
trees, which are beginning to bear. He has 
150 prune trees, set in 1906. He jn-oduces 
from 600 to 900 bushels of iiotatoes. and from 
150 to 200 bushels of onions a ycai-. He also 
raises a quantity of tomatoes, cabbage, sweet 
corn, etc. 

Mr. Richards was born Aug. 22. 1881. and is 
a sou of Ostrander and Ameha IM. (Lacoe) 
Richards. He attended school at Mountain 



216 



HISTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



N'alley until sixloeu years of age. Siiiet' then 
lie has been working liia father's farm. 

OsTRANDKK Ri<;nAKTis, horn ^hireh 20, ISUtj 
in Newton township, on the farm n(.)\v owned 
by B. F. Reed. He is a son of Nathaniel and 
Sarah (Ostrander) Riehards. He was married 
Dec. :H. 1S(i1 to Miss Amelia M., daughter of 
\\'illiam A. and Syl)il (Ash) Laeoe. {Sec 
.liiKcpli A. Litvoe (if Ncirtfin). 

Mr. and Mrs. Ostrander Riehards had a fami- 
ly of seven ehildrcn, namely: (1) Ella S., l)orn 
Dee. IS. lSf)"2, and married Charles Williams. 
•Tuly 28, 1SS2, and are living on a farm near 
Dalton.. Thev have live cliildren. namelv: 
Pearl, Isahell, Walter. ^lyrtle and -himes.. (2) 
Mary A., born Sept. 1, 1867 and died Oet. 14. 



Lizzie, daughter of John and Catherine (Kurtz) 
Herman of West Scranton. 

Mv. Richter, our subject, began picking slate 
in the coal breakers wlien only eight years of 
age. lie worked in the mines for several 
years, until 1909, when he moved to the .Tohn 
koster farm at Mountain Valley. 

Mr. and JNIrs. Richter have five children. 
{See Directnri/) . 

FiiKDERicK RicnruK was born in Germany 
March 22, 1853. After coming to this count;ry 
he worked in the mines in Scranton and vicin- 
ity for over twenty years. and_ the last ten 
years he has been emi)loved in Klutz Silk Mill 
in Green Ridge. His wife, (^Nliss Sophie 
Pecker) Avas born March 7, 1858. They have 




RESIDKNCB OF OSTRANDER RICHARDS. 



1878. (3) William 0., born July 9, 1870 
and died Jan. 30, 1883. (4) Addie L., .born 
Nov. 30, 1873 and married Dec. 31, 1891 to 
Eugene Miller, son of Peter Miller. They are 
li\iug on a farm near Falls and have three 
children living: Willard P., Raymond M. and 
Eugene. (5)"0ra N., born Aug. 26, 1876 and 
died Aug. 2, 1893. (6) Leslie F., born Aug. 
22, 1881 and living with his parents, working 
the home farm. (7) Jennie A., born January 
15, 1884 and married Sept. 21, 1910 to John 
Poston and living in Pittston. They have one 
son, Leslie J. Mr. Poston is a carpenter. 

CHARLES F. RICHTER 

^Ir. Richter was born iNov. 17, 1878 in Ger- 
many, where he lived until about one year of 
age, when his parents sailed for this country. 
He if. a son of Frederick and Sophie (Becker) 
Riclitor. He was married Dec. 8, 1896 to Miss 



a family of eight children, naniely: Charles, 
Anna, Fred, Lizzie, Minnie, William, Emma 
and John. 

John Herman was borir in 1831 in France 
and died Oct. 18, 1896 in Scranton. His wife, 
Jliss Catherine Kurtz, was born in 1845 in 
Germany and died in July, 1886. They had 
a family of eight children, namely: Baltz, Lena, 
^lary, George, Margaret, Lizzie, Louis and 
Emma. 

GEORGE H. RIFENBARY 

Mr. Rifenbary has been superintendent of 
the Ransom Home since April 1, 1897. He 
was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, and is a 
son of Benjamhi and Seanea (Hough) Rifen- 
bary. He was married June 22. 1876 to Miss 
Ijva, daughter of Isaac 0. and Marilla (Place) 
Bunnell of Meshoppen. 

Mr. and Mrs. Rifenbary have a family of two 



HISTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



217 



(laiighloir, namely: Zida E., married Sept. 24, 
1908 to Edward Kirciier of Newton; Oelo, mar 
ried May 18, 1911 to Truman K. Biesecker of 
Newton . 

Mr. Kifenbary owned and lived on a farm 
at Lake Winola several years, which he sold 
abont 189o. 



JOHNSON ROSENKRANS 

Johnson Rosenkrans was born ilarch 22, 
18.'.") in Newlon township, on the farm now 
owned by his brothei', Amos. He obtained a 
fair educ^ation at the Lacoe school After he be- 
came of age, until thirty-two years old he work- 
ed l)v the month for several farmers. Then he 



grandson of Levi Rosenkrans. {See Amzi 
RosenJcruns of Netvton). 



CHARLEY SAMES 

Mr. Sames is a son of Henry C. and Frances 
(Lewert) Sames. He was born Feb. 14, 1876 
at 1005 Cedar Ave., Scranton. tie was married 
June 22, 1904 to Miss Catherine A., daughter 
of Andrew and ilargaret (Roeszler) Landsie- 
del of Rxin.soni township. 

Mv. Sames lived in Scranton until March 29, 
1910 when he moved to his mother's farm on 
German Hill, Mliere he is now living. 

-Mr. and Airs. (Charley Sames are the parents 
of three children. (See Directory). 







niOSlDKNClO l)F .JOHNSON ii( ISKNKRANS 



was married, j\Iarcli 1, 1887 to Miss Emma 
Taylor, daughter of James and ^lartlia 
(French) Taylor. After his marriage, Mr. 
Rosenkrans worked out seven years. April 1, 
1894, he purchased the farm where he now re- 
sides of Mrs. Eliza Williams, widow of Andrew 
Williams. 

Mrs. Rosenkrans Avas born in England, Feb. 
13, 18(3(3. She came to this country with her 
parents when about tw(j years of age. She at- 
tended school at Scranton, Old Forge and the 
Pine school-house. She learned dressmaking, 
which she followed before her marriage. 

Mr. and Mrs. R(jsenkrans have had a family 
of seven children, namely: Harriet and ]\hu'- 
tha (twins), born July 15, 1889; Agar James, 
born A].>ril 26, 1895; .Norvison .Johnson, born 
Dec. 1, 1897; Jennie, born April 24, 1900 and 
died Jan. 1, 1901; William TaA'lor, born .June 
1, 1902 and died Feb. 15. 1903; .Tenuio Corin- 
nie, born ^larch 5, 1904. 

Mr. lv(]senkrans is a son of Brittian and a 



Hexry C. Sames, father of our subject, was 
born April 30, 1842 in Wardorf, Germany and 
died April 16, 1907 in Scrantoi:i. He came to 
this country when about twenty-five years of 
age and married two years later to IMiss Frances, 
daughter of Godfred Lewert of Scranton. She 
was born May 10,. 1849 in Germany, and came 
to this country about 1867. Mr. and Mrs. 
Sames were the parents of seven children, name- 
Iv: Elizabeth and Lena died in infancv; Henry, 
born July 26, 1873 ; Charley, our subject ; Cath- 
erine (Mrs. David Morris), born Feb. 24, 1880; 
Frances, died Avhen fifteen months old; John, 
born Dec. 10, 1887. In 1870 Henry' Sames 
purchased a lot and erected a residence at 1005 
Cedar Ave., Scranton. In 1882 he remodeled 
the first floor of his residence for a store where 
he kept groceries and provisions, and June 8, 
1889 he added the milk business. In 1901 he 
enlarged this '.building to niake room for the 
increasing milk business, having three wagons 
for delivering the milk. It was then named 



218 



ILUSTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSUIl' 



the "Maple Dairy,'' which name it now bears. 
Since Mr. Sanies deatli in 1907, Mrs. Sanies 
and her tliree sons liave conducted the business. 
They now have live milk wagons io deliver 
milk and an extra wagon for delivering grocer- 
ies. 

SCIIEUER BROTHERS 

"SuxNY SiDK Farm," Moixt Dkwey 

.John Sclieuer, Sr., the father of the o\vners 
of the ajjove farm, was one of the pioneers of 
Scranton. He came from Germany in 1849 
with his father, Conrad Scheuer. They settled 
in Slocum Hollow. -lohn procured employ- 
ment Avith Scranton ct Co., later the Lackawan- 
na Iron & Goal Co. hater he rented the Slocum 



drive to and from tlieir place of business in 
Scranton, nigbl and nioruiug, it only taking 
forty-Jive minutes to drive to the farm. This is 
(he linesl summer residence section so near 
Scranton. All parts of the city and valley can 
be ,'-een from the farm. 

ANTHONY SCHULTHEIS 

^Ir. Schultheis is a son of Conrad and Dor- 
othy (Engel) Schultheis. He was liorn Nov. 
22, 1853, in Pittston, and when tw(j years of 
age his parents moved to a farm near Taylor, 
where he obtained his education. In 187;> he 
came with his ])arcnts to JNIilwaukie to tlie 
farm where Ik' is now living, where be has 
since lived. He was married -lanuarv :'>(), 




•SITNXY SIDE FARM," SCHKUElt BROS.. THE BAKERS. SUMMER HOME. MC)UNT UEWEV. 



Farm, on the banks of the Stafford MeadoAV 
Brook, wliere he conducted a dairy and milk 
busine.ss. ^Ir. Scheuer has the distinction of be- 
ing the Ih'st milkman in Scranton, and was the 
first man to receive milk shipments over the D.. 
]j. & \Y. R. R. This milk was shipped about 
1860 by a Mr. Morrow from Ilnmphreysville, 
now Glenburn, Pa. 

Mr. Scheuer always had a desire for farming, 
which was the reason for the purcha>e of "Sun- 
ny Side Farm" by his suns. After ^Ir. Scheuer 
retired from the Baking busine.ss, which he es- 
taljlished in 1874, being succeeded by his sons, 
he took charge of and develo])ed the farm to its 
l)resent high .state of cultivation. 

Mr. Scheuer died in April, 1911, ;iged 82 
years. Since then, his son, Henry, is manag- 
ing the farm, and the other brothers, Cxeorge 
and -Tohn, have their sunmier residence there, 
each oceuiiying cottages on the farm. They 



187J. to ]\Iiss -Julia Maas, a daughter of .John 
Maas of Mountain \'alley. She was born Oc- 
tober 20, 18o4, in ^\'ilkes-Barre and died Mav 
7, 190(). 

Anlhony Schultheis was elected school di- 
rector about 189lj, holding the ofhce for nine 
years, and assistant assessor one term. 

To Mv. and ^Irs. Schulthies were born 
ten children, namely: (1) Rose, born Febru- 
ary 12, 187() and was married iVugust 1, 1899 
lo iVrthur Snover, and living in Scranton: (2) 
Lewis A., born February l9, 1877 and is a 
carpenter, working at Taylor; (o) .John G., 
born Augu.st 7, 1878 and was married October 
25, 1905', to Miss j\Iary E. Courtright of Mil- 
waukie. They have one daughter, Luella, born 
in October, 190(). They arc living in Taylor: 
(4) Dorothv E., born April 10, 1880 and mar- 
ried Septen'iber 29, 1909 to AVesley J. Lewis 
and living in Exeter; (5) Llenry, born Novem- 



H,I>STORY OF RANSOai TOWNSHIP 



219 



iIMp 


.■ 5 l^'i' 


^' '• ' *'■- 


^P^ 



1825 and died Septem- 



SCHEUER'S ISREAl) BAKERY. 
Pittston Avenue, Hemlock and Front Sti'eets. 



Gennauv, November 
ber 22, 1909. 

CoxEAD ScHULTHiEs, (lur Subject's fatlier,\Yas 
1)1 >ni ill Germany ]Marcli 25, 1819 and was 
maiTied in 1843 to Miss Dorothy Engel, 
(laughter of Anthony and iNhiggie (Ott) En- 
geb Mr. and ilrs. SchuUheis came to this 
country in 1851, being sixty-nine days on the 
water. Tliey were the ])arents of six cliilch'en, 
four being hovn in (lermany, ^hu-y, the old- 
est, married Casper Oberdofer: Lewis, living 
in Pittston ; Catherine, married Adam Rein- 
liardt, and died in June, 1907 ; Eliza, married 
Ncnry Schultheis and died -Tune 30, 1907; 
Anthony, our subject: .loliu. who died when 
nine years of age. Conrad iSchultheis died 
May 3, 1890. His wife was Ijoru December 
l(i. 1822, and is living on the old homestead, 
with her son, Anthony. She is the oldest resi- 
dent of Ivansom towniship. aged 90 years. 




RESIDEXCE OF ANTHONY SCHULTHEIS AND HIS MOTHER. 
MRS. CONRAD SCHULTHBIS. 



ber 19, 1881 and married September 18. 1907 
to Miss Martha Whitlock of Newton; ((3) Au- 
gusta, born August 19, 1883 and married Jan. 
23, 1907 to Charles Stiue of Milwaukie. They 
have two children, Mamie E. and Rose ^I. ; 
(7) Elizabeth, born January 12, 1887 and is 
living at home; (8) Frank, l)orn January (3. 
1889, and is working on the farm for his fa- 
ther; (9) Catherine,' Ijorn July 11, 1891, and 
is a stenographer and bookkeeper in Scranton : 
(10) Charles A., l.oru August 21. 1894. 

John Maas was born in tiermany October 4, 
1826, and died in ^lountaiu ^'alley. October 
13, 1892. He came to this c(nmtry with his 
parents ab<ait 1846, and later settled on a farm 
in Mountain ^'alley, now owned by his son. 
John Maas, .7r. He was married about 1853 
to Miss Catherine Bartli, who was also l:)oni in 



STEPHEN SCHMIDT 

^Ir. Schmidt is a mine surveyor for the D., 
L. et W. Coal Company, where he has l^een eni- 
iJoyed for over twenty-seven years. He was 
born in Austria on Christmas, Dec. 25, 1860, 
and came to this countrx' with his parents in 
Octoljcr, 1882, living in Taylor two years, mov- 
ing from there to Duryea, where his father 
lived until death. 

Stephen Schmidt was married Jan. 7, 1888 - 
to ^Irs. -Tulia (Gardener) Friedman, widow of 
Frank Friedman, who died Sept. 3, 1886. She 
was a daughter of Goerge and ^MoUie (Ross) 
(iardener.who were born in Tyrol, Austria. She 
(Mrs. Schmidt) came to this country Jime 1. 
1884 and married to her first husband, ilarch 
7, 1885. She has two .'^isters and one brother 
living, namely: Sophia (Mrs. Julius Fabri), 



220 



HISTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



Matilda. (Mrs. Chas. I5ai'l(>.-fli) and Aut;usl. 
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Friedman were the parents 
(if (inc dau.i;;liter, Emily M., liorn Dee. (1, ISSd 
and married June 2i). 19(14 U> Henry Leutlmld 
a veterinary surgeon, livinu; at Taylor. They 
have three children, namely : Helen, He'nrv 
and Clifford. 

^Ir. and Mrs. Schmidt are the parents of nine 
children: Hedwig S., horn Sept. ofl. ISSS. and 
married Sept. 11, 1907 to William A. .Mhrecht. 
a Jiookkeeper in Scranton. The other eight 
children are living at home , and their names 
may he found in the Directory. Hedwig and 
Frank are twins. Frank is a bricklayer and 
August, a carpenter. Ernestine, Pauline and 



1;!, 1841 on the farm now owned liy j\lrs. 
Smith,, where he died June 4. liJOO. lie was 
a son of Peter A. and Sarah (Compton) Snnth. 

I'etek a. Smith was born Feb. 5, 1816 and 
died in January, 1892, and a son of Elias and 
llaniet (Ayers) Smith, Avho were among the 
pioneer settlers of Newton township. Mr. 
Smith married Miss Sarah Compton, who was 
horn March 11, ISOS and died Oct. 27, 1887. 

Mrs. Catherine Smith is the mother of eight 
children, namely: (1) Mary E., born Feb. 17, 
1867, and married Da^ld Shook and living in 
Newton township. (2) Clara, born jNhiy 31, 
1869 and married Patrick Lowler, and living 
in Pittston. (8) Elnora, born Oct. 20, 1871, 




RESIDENCE OF STEPHEN SCHMIDT. 



Mary are -working for The.o. A. AVhite Mfg. 
Co., an overall factory in Linden street, Scran- 
ton. 

Mr. Schmidt is a son of John and Dorothy 
(Sipple) Schmidt. 

John Schmidt was born j\hiy 15, 1831 in 
Austria and died July 5, 1902. He was a 
miner. His wife was born in February, 1837 
in Austria, and is living at the old home in 
Duryea. Their family consisted of four sons 
and two daughters, namely: Andrew, John, 
Stephen, Ferdinand, Mary and Elizabeth. Only 
Elizabeth and Stephen are living, 

MRS. CATHERINE SMITH 

Mrs. Smith was born Feb. 19, 1845 in New- 
ton townshiiJ, and is a daughter of Jacob and 
Salinda (Walters) Jacoby. (See Artlmr Ju- 
cohy of Newton). She was married March 13, 
1866 to Noah P. Smith, who was born March 



and died Sept. 25, 1883. (4) William T., 
born April 15, 1874 and married Miss Anna 
Stevenson and living in Pittston. (5) Sarah, 
born Nov. 3, 1876 and died Aug. 22, 1877. 
(6) Peter A., born July 4, 1878. (7) Jennie, 
born July 22, 1881 and died Sept. 21, 1884. 
(8) Jacois, born Dec. 7, 1885. Peter and Jacob 
are living with their mother, working the farm. 

BERT W. SINGER 

■ Mr. Singer was born Jan. 31, 1874 in New- 
ton township. He is a son of George and Julia 
(Smith) Singer. George Singer died in Sep- 
lember, 1909. 

Bert W. Singer attended school at Newton 
Centre until about nineteen years of age. Then 
he entered Scranton Business College, attend- 
ing two winter terms. He was married Dec. 
15, 1897 to Miss Mamie E., daughter of Abra- 
ham and Mary (Huthmaker) Stine of Milwau- 
kie. {See Stine Family). 



HISTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



221 








liKSIDENCE OF BERT W. SINGEU 



Mr. Singer L- a truck farmer, i^elliuio' liis pro- ?ilrs. Stewart have two children liviag, Willard 

(hiee at retail in Scranton. ' L., born Jan. t), 1909, and Letitia, born March 

Mr. and Mrs. Singer have two children. 22, 1912. Another son, William, was born 

namely: Mary .).. b..rn Oct.iber 24. 1901 and Jan. 20, 1911 and died Feb. 8, the same year. 

TharJcs S.. l)orii Ocl. 2."). 1904. (,SV, ]]-;iIi,nii Boirpii). 




HOME OF HILEY W. STEWART 
Owned by Mrs. SteTs-art's mother, Mrs. WHliam Bowen. 



HILEY WENZEL STEWART 

Mr. Stewart was born April 25, 1883 in 
Hyde Park. He is a son of Willard L. and 
Lanra L. (Snow) Stewart. 

Onr subject was married Sept. 30, 1907 to 
Miss JIartha G., daughter of William and Le- 
titia (Gilbert) Bowen of Mt. Dewey. JNIr. and 



Willard L. Stewart was bora in Hobart, 
N. Y., -July 4, 186.5. liis wife was Miss Laura 
L., daughter of Johiel Snow of Great Bend. 
She was born June H, 1865 and died Jan. 25, 
1911 near Jerniyn. To the union of Mr. and 
ilrs. Stewart six children were born, namely : 
Frank, Nettie. Ilarvy, Charlie, Tiiley and Nel- 



222 



HISTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



lie. Only Uie thnr yduiigvst aiv liviii.t;,: Cluir- 
lie, born in 18(S1 iuid niarried Mis.< Bertha Wal- 
lace of Scranton. Hilev, our :snbiect. Nellie, 
boru .Ian. 1. 1891. 



THE STINE FAMILY 

The Stines were anHintj (he early settlers of 
Ransom lownshiji. They are of ({erman de- 
scent. 



Abraham Stixk was born in .New .Jersey, 
Aug. 4, 1777 and a son of .hihn and Phelje 
Stine. FIc came to Ransom township about 
1825 and settled on the farm where Charles A. 
Stine is now living, which he purchased from 
William Brink, who setlled the farm about 



(langhler of William and Eleanor l>rezee. She 
was born Dec. 1.1, 181.") and died Nov. 1. 1887. 
To the union of I'rederick and Mary A. Stine 
eight children were born, namely: 'i'obias, ]']li- 
zabeth, Aliraham. Martha. Frederick, Ellen. 
Sarah and Harriet. 

Ahraham Stei.v, a son of Frederick and 
Mary A. Stein, was born on the old homestead 
farm near Milwankie, April 11, 1842, where 
he lived until his death, .Ian. 12, 1907. He was 
married Nov. 7, ISHo to Miss Jlary, daughter 
of Jacol) and Foi'otby (Siglin) ITuthmaker. 
Mr. Stein was a prominent Odd Fellow, and 
attended lodge every Saturday night, not nnss- 
ing a meeting iov thirteen years. He was a 
kind father and husband, and a man with 




CHARLES STINE'S RESIDENCE 



1820, and built a log-house. Abraham Stine 
was married Jan. 29, 1804 to Elizabeth Picket. 
She was born Aug. 18, 1773 in Roxbeary, [Mor- 
ris conntv, N. J., and a daughter of Frederick 
(died April fi, 1820) and Elizabeth (died Dec. 
9, 1821) Pickel. To the union of Abraham 
and Elizal)eth Stine .<even children were born, 
namely: Phebc, born Jan. 4, 1805 and married 
Joseph LaTier; Charity, born June 1, 180(5 and 
married Chas. "NAMlsion ; ^lary, born March 21. 
1808 and married Ethan Scott; Susanna, Ixirn 
March 8. 1810 and died Oct. 9, 1820: Freder- 
ick, born Jan. 6, 1812 and married Mary Ann 
Hrezee: John, born Oct. 23, 1813 and died 
Feb. 8, 1814- Elizabeth, bm-n .Ian. 2, 1815 and 
died Feb. 4, 1817. 

Feederiok Stine was born in New Jersev 
Jan. C,^ 1812 and died Nov. Ifi, 189fi in Ran- 
.som township, near Milwankie on the homestead 
farm. He was a son of Abraham Stine. He 
wa.s married Aug. 5, 1837 to Miss, Mary A., 



many friends in the community where he was 
born, reared and died. He was born in a lo,g 
house across the road from where his son. 
Charles, is now living. He was very fond of 
his home. The longest he was ever away 

at a time, was one week, when attending court 
at Scranton. To the union of ^Ir. and Mrs. 
Stine four children were born: Katie S., born 
Julv 8, 1809 and died ,Nov. 24, 1876 : Jacob H.. 
born Dec. 23. 1871 and died Nov. 9, 1876; Ma- 
mie E., born Nov. 16, 1877 and married Ber^ 
W. Singer; Charles A., born Sept. 17, 1880 
and marrit>d Augusta Schultheis. 

CHARLES A. STINE 

Mr. Stine is a son of Abraham and Mary 
Stine. Fie was born Sept. 17, 1880 on the 
homestead farm. He attended .school at Mil- 
wankie until about fifteen years of age. He 
was married Jan. 23, 1907 to Mis,s Augusta, 
daughter of Anthony and .Tulia (Maas) Schul- 



HIsfoRY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



223 



theis of Ransoin township. Mr. and Mrs. Stine 
are the jjarents of two daughters: Mamie, born 
Feb. 29, 190;-! and Rosa, born March 7, 19] 0. 

WILLIAM J. TAFT 

Mr. Taft was born in South Gibson, Pa., Jiuie 
20, 1876, and came to Ransom in 1898. He is 
a car inspector for the Lehigh A/'alley Railroad 
Co. at the Coxton yard. 

Mr. Taft was married Nov. 21, 1900 to Miss 
Sarah Stout, daughter of John and Lydia J. 
(Harris) Stout of Ransoin. Mrs. Taft was born 
Aug. 28, 1880. Mr. and Mrs, Taft are tlie ]va- 
rents of four children, namelv: Martha Ah, born 
Oct. l;L 1901: Mildred AL, iKirn June 30, 190;l: 
Freddie J., born Nov. 14, lOO,! and AVilliam R., 
liorn July 7, 1908. 



Mrs. Thompson was born in Pittston and is 
one of seven children of Richard and Maria 
(Bates) Smith. 

Mrs. Thompson taught five successive terms 
<if school in Newton township before her mar- 
riage and one term after. j\Ir. and Mrs. Thomp- 
son have two children, one son, William E., 
born Ahu'ch 22, 1902, and one daughter, Alta 
F., btirn October 19, 1909. Both were born in 
Newton. 

Richard Smith was born in England Oct. 
26, 1846, and came to this country when about 
ten years old. He is a jeweler by trade, but 
for over twenty years has been a C. S. B. in the 
Christian Science Church, and is now located 
at Lancaster. Pa. Mrs. Smith was a daughter 
of Solomon G. and Angeline (Ward) Bates, 




RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM J. TAFT 



FRANK C. THOMPSON 

Mr. Thomiason is a son of William E. and 
Elizabeth (Klipple) Thompson, and a grandson 
of John anct Harriet (Smith) Thompson. 
Frank C. was born in Newton township Sept. 3, 



1872. 



He attended school at Newton until 



about sixteen years of age. He then entered 
Keystone Acaclemy, where he attended two win- 
ter terms,. He helped his father on the farm 
until twentv-six vears of age. He was married 
May 31, 1899 to Miss Minnie W. Smith. 

In April, 1905, Mr. and Mrs. Thompson 
moved to Clarks Sunnnit where he eecvu-ed a 
position as foreman of the Newton, Ransom and 
Lake Winola Telephone Company (now the 
Merchants). On March 27, 1906 he was em- 
ployed by the Lehigh A'alley Coal Company at 
their Storage Plant at Ransom, working first 
as helper, and later was ]>r()motod to engineer. 
and for over n year has been electrician. 



and was born in Tunkhannock, Feb. 12, 1857 
and died ui Scranton Aug. 22, 1887. Mr. 
Smith was again married in April, 1902 to Miss 
Mira Hockaclay of Decatur, 111. 

JAMES B. WALTER 

Air. AValler is a prominent carpenter living 
in Mountain A'alley. He was born Oct. 8, 1857 
in Smithfield township, Monroe county, and 
came to Ransom March 17, 1880. He worked 
for Jacob Bedell on the farm two years. In 
1882 he began learning the carpenter's trade 
with (Jeorge Davis, which occupation he has 
since followed. 

Mr. Walter is a son of Hiram and Sarah 
(Lee) Waher. 

Our sul).iect, James B. Walter, was married 
Oct. 7, 1882 to ALss Lydia A., daughter of 
Robert and Ahirv (Michaels) Davis. (iS'ee Ira 
E.Daris). 



224 



HISTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



Mrs. James B. Walter was born June 10, 1800 
ill Milwanlcio on tlio IVirni ndw owned by Wib 
liam Reed. 

lAIr. and Mrs. A\' alter are the parents of four 
children: (1) Robert 1)., born Dec. 1, 188(3 
and married June 22, 1909 to Miss Florence 
Denithorne of Old Forge, who was born in 
October, 1889. He is a carpenter hv trade. 
They have one daughter, Mildred Ann, born 
Nov. 5, 1911. (2) Earl II., born Aug. 9, 1893. 
(3) Benjamin F., born Aug. 31, 1895! (4) 
Leah A., born July 22, 1897. Earl and Benja- 
oini are both learning the carpenter's trade. 

IIiR.VM Walter was born in April. 1829 in 
Smithfield township, and since 1908 has lived 
in Pike county. His wife was born in April. 



she uioved to AVilkcs-Barre with her parents. In 
bS.-jT they moved to Newton town.shij) and three 
years later to i\Iihvaukie. 

Mrs, Wil.-^ou was married Feb. 20, 1864 to 
David Williams, sou of Pennington and Adah 
(Stage) Williams, and a. grandson of John 0. 
Williams. David Williams was born Feb, 25, 
1838 and died December 5, 1875. 

JMrs. Wilson had five children liy her first 
lm.-;band. namely; (1) Adah E., born Sept. 12, 
18(35. Siie was married June 11, 1884 to Royal 
II. Holbert. They have a family of seven chil- 
dren : Archie E., born .Jan. 21, i88(>, and mar- 
ried Miss Bessie Wheeler of Scranton : Mattie 
E,, born Julv 15, 1889 ; Ethel E., born June 28. 
1895; Robert C, born Feb. 2. 1900; Roval H.' 
born .lulv 17, 1901; Melba C, born April 20, 




RESIDENCE OF JAMES B. WALTER 



1828 and died in .July, 1898. Their family 
consists of ten children : Susan, John, Ellen, 
JMichael, James. Abraham, Josephine, Henry^ 
Eliza and Edward. Only iive are living, name- 
ly: James B., our subject; Abraham, born in 
1859 and married Miss Emma Miller and liv- 
ing in WilkesrBarre : Henry, born in 1861 and 
married Mrs. Mary Waldron for his last wife. 
They are living in Hyde Park. Eliza, married 
Fred Hudfccker. and living in Pike county: 
Edward, married iliss Sarah Plattenburg, and 
living in AA^'ilkes-Barre. 



MRS. CATHERINE WILSON 

Mrs. Wilson is a daughter of David F. and 
Helen (Kivler) Thatcher. She was born Mar. 
3, 1845 in Newport township. Luzerne county, 
where she lived until seven years of age, when 



1004 and .Joseph David, born May 8, 1907. 
Royal H, Holbert was born in Mast Hopt, Pike 
county, Sept. 25, 1861. He is a son of Joseph 
and Elizabeth (Stoutenburgh) Holbert. Royal 
IT, Holbert is a painter by trade. Mr. and Mrs. 
Holbert have lived in Scranton, at 515 North 
({arfield avenue, since 1890, (2) John L., born 
July 25. 1867 and died Aug. 9, 1875. (3) 
Daniel L,, born in February, 'l869 and died in 
January. 1870. (4) ^lartha JI., born Oct. 21. 
1872. and married .John T. Evans of Pittston. 
lie is a graduate from Chaltingham Militarv 
Academy. She died Mar. 22. 1907. (5) Bertha 
E.. born .Jan. 11, 1875 and married Thos, .Ten- 
kins, She died March 21, 1902. 

ATrs, Wilson was married the second time, 
June 5. 1884 to Jacob Wilson, son of Charles 
and Susan Wilson of Ransom. He was born 
June 15, 1848 and died Jan. 9, 1905. 



HISTOEY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



225 



John C Williams was born in Pliiladelplna, 
lie look out a patent for Breeches Pond (now 
Lake AVinoki) and the surrounding land. Here 
he built a log-house, and then returned to Phil- 
adeli)hia, where he married ^liss Martha M. 
Pennington. After their marriage they loaded 
their household goods on a cart, drawn by a 
yoke of oxen, and came to their new home. 
Thus, they made their wedding trip from Phil- 
adeli^hia to Lake Winola. He died in LSfif*. 
The Williams formerly came from Llolland. 



in April 1870 came to Ransom and later pur- 
chased the farm where they now live. 

Mr. and i\Irs. Winters are the parents of five 
children, namely: Willard ^L, born April 12, 
1S68 and married Miss Elsie Bennett and liv- 
ing in Pittston; Philip B., born Aug. 26, 1871 
and married Aliss Bessie Drake and living in 
Newton township. They have three daugliters. 
Alma, Zida and Helen ; Frank A., Ijorn June 
5, 1873 and married Miss Margaret Hopkins 
and died Aug. 20, 1900 : Harry B., born April 




LOG- HOUSE BUILT BY .JOSEPH KItOUSB ABOUT 1S40 
Now owned by Horace Courtriglit. 



samu]<:l j. winters 

Mr, Winters Avas burn Dec. 2;!, ISl;? in New- 
ton township, near the Ransom line, where 
Frank Petty is now living. He is a son of 
Bahibridge and Eliza (Brink) Winters to 
whom four children were born : Terris^-a, born 
Feb. 12, 1840 and married Enos Beemer and 
living in Kansas; Harriet, born March H, 1842; 
and married Alva Thompson and died Feb. 24, 
1890. Samuel J., the subject of our sketch 
and Marv E., born .Ian. 17, 1850 and died Oct. 
18, 1865'. 

Bainbridge Winters was born Oct, 13, 
1817 in Orange county, N, Y., and died March 
21, 1900. His wife, Eliza Brink, was born 
Dec. 11, 1817 in New Jersey and died Dec. 4. 
1897 in Newton. Bainbridge Winters was a 
.son of Jacob Winters. 

Our subject, Samuel J. Winters, was born 
and reared on a farm. Lie was married July 
6, 1867 to Miss Catherine, daughter of Philij? 
and Susan (Dersheimer) Barrier. After their 
marriage they lived three years on the farm 
where Ed. Ward now lives in Newton township, 



12, 1881, married Miss Nellie Fahs and hving 
on his father's farm. They have two sons, 
Frank L. and Ralph: Blanche M., l)orn July 
19, 1884, married Joseph B. Munson and living 



They have two daughters, 



m Ransom, 
crine and Helen. 
^ My. Winters enlisted in Co. B, 143 Regt. 
Vol. and served until the close of the war. 
He Avas twice elected assessor in Ransom, 
was elected supervisor for one term. 



atn- 
Pa. 
and 



JOHN WTTZAL 

]\Ir. Witzal was born April 8, 1855, near 
Stroud,sburg. He lived at home, helping his 
father on the farm, until twenty-four years of 
age. When ten years of age his parents moved 
to Scranton (Providence) and in May, 1877 
they purchased the farm in Mount Dewey, now 
owned by George Kellou. Mr. Witzal is a son 
of Andrew and Margaret (Knauser) Witzal. 

Andrbav Witzal was born in Germany, and 
came to this country when twenty-seven years 
of age. He was a stone ma.son by trade. Lie 
was twice married, the first time soon after he 
came to this country, to Miss Margaret Knauser. 



■2.-H\ 



ILISTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



Slio was li(ini in ( u'niiaiiy, when.' slu> Ijecanic 
afciuainted with Mr.Witzal. Tliey were married 
ill Ilawley, Wa>-|ie cDiuily, and were the parents 
of live eliildreii: Kiizalieth, Marv, .hihii. Min- 
nie and Polly. :\Irs. Witzal died in ISCri in 
Creseo. .Mr. \\'it/,al was married a,t;aiii. raisin.in 
a family of six ehildreu by liis second wife, 
naiiielv: LouisP, Nora, ({eorftc, Andrew, -fr., 
William and lielle. (ieoro;e died in -Iniie. 
liJO.S. Mr. Witzal died a few years a.i2;o. Mrs. 
Witzal is livin.u with her dantihter, l>elle. in 
New -Terse \-. 

■Tohn Witzal. <air snhjeet. «as married May 
21. 187!) to Miss Marti,aret Oetz. She was liorii 



;n. l.S!);l and died .Nov. 28, 1899. (.')) Mar- 
liaree (i.. horn Auji. ;>(), 1895 and died a year 
later. ((>) I':inier'A., horn July 'ir^, 1897 and 
died when nine months of aye. 

i;()Y W. ZEhSS 

Mr, Zeiss is a son of \\'illiani and Catherine 
(Frenhan) Zeiss, and horn Dec. 18, 1880 in 
Milwankie <iii the farm where his father lives, 
lie attended school at ^Milwankie until ahout 
ei.iihteeu years of ajie. He remained at h(une 
\\itli his ]iareiits mitil twenty-two years of age, 
when he was married April 30, 1908 to Miss 




liESIDBNCE OP .lOHN WTT7AT.. 



in (iermany. Dec. 11, 18.")!, and came to this 
country when nine years of age. Her father 
died about 18.")2. Tier mother, Mrs. Barbara 
(xetz, was born Oct. 1, 18;!2 and died Nov. 1, 
1898. Her second lius])aiid was Waiidel Klotz. 
who died iibout 190;'>. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Witzal a family of six chil- 
dren were born, namely: (1) Frank, born Feb. 
27, 1880 and died July 6, the same year. (2) 
Emma S.. born June 8, 1882 and married Feb. 
22. 1906 to Burton Hartnian of Scranton. 
Thev have one son, John E., l)orn i\lay 9, 1911. 
(8) William ^M., born March 5, 1884 and mar- 
ried ^Ii.-\s Eunna Boswater. They have one 
daughter, Lillian. (4) Karl A., bom March 



(irace A., daughter of Charles H. and .Tennie 
(^'andeburg) Biesecker of Bald Mount. (S^c 
Nniio'ii History). 

Mr. and Mrs. Zeiss lived in Bald Mount the 
first year after their marriage. In April, 1904 
they uioved to Milwankie. He worked nearly 
a year for John Holmes in the lumber woods. 
In' April, 1905 he began workmg for his father 
on the farm, by whom he was employed^ for 
two years. 

A]iril 1, 1907, Mr. Zeiss rented his father's 
farm on shares, in partnership with his brother. 
Christopher J., wliich they have continued to 
work until the present time. They are exten- 



HISTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



227 




RESIDENCE OF ROY W. ZEISS 



,-ivL' truck ami hay ,ti,T(i\vci-s. ami the hirye.-l jii'i)- 
(Uu-fi> (if swrct «irn in Ransom and Newton 
to\vnshi]is. their crop in Iflll amonnting to over 
TO.OOO ears, wliieh were gro\\ii on seven acres 
of land. The same year they ])rodnced oxer 



HENRY ZILK 

Mr. Zilk was horn near Cumherland. ^[d.. 

Oct. is. 18H0. When twentv-two years of age 

he came to Durvea, where he lived for thirteen 

years. In 1S!I4 he iiurehased the farm where 






■£ 



n 



"J-: 




[_i3 1 



■fefS 




RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM ZEISS 

2,000 haskets of tomatoes, 26,000 heads of cah- he 
hage and 6-3 tons of Iiay. also a qnantity of en- 



cumbers and potatoes. 

In 1007 Mr. Zeiss iiurehased an acre of land 
from liis father and erected a nine-room resi- 
dence, which they occupied Sept. 2, 1907. 

^Ir. and ^Irs. Zeiss have one daughter, Mary 
L., born May 23, 1904. 



... is now living. In June. 1905 he sold his 
farm and moved his family to California, liv- 
ing in Oakland at the time of the earthquake. 
April 18, 190(^. Nine days after the earth- 
quake he and his family returned to Pennsyl- 
x'ania, and in August repurclia.sed the farm 
which he owned before going West. 

While iu the West, Mr. Zilk traveled through 



228 



I-LISTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



and visitt'tl several .stale;^, apeuding iiiiifh liiiic 
in California, Oregon and AVashingtdn. Mr. 
Zilk, being a survivor of the terrible earthquake, 
can give a very interesting account of the de- 
.-trnelion of San I*'rancisco and the sufi'ering of 
(hose who escaped death and were left Iiomeless 
and pennyiess. 

Mr. Zilk worked in tlu' coal mines in Mary- 
land and Dni'yea. lie never did farm work 
unlii he came to liansoni township. He was 
married in Duryea, Jan. 21, 1884 to Miss Sally 
\'., ilaughtor of Henry and Mary Rutledge of 
()ld l'"oi'ge, Slie was born Sejjt. 25, 1858 in 

Haiti ri'. Mr. liutledgc fought for the 

Union, ('nlisting at the beginning of the war 
and serving mitil the close, 

Mr. Zilk is a son of .lohn and Harriet (Rice) 
Zilk. 

JoHX Zii.K was born in April, 18l)(i in (Jer- 
niany and died in Noveudjer, 1901. He came 
to tliis country in 1856. Idis wife was Ijorn in 
April, 1840 in Bedford county, Md., and died 
in July, 1889 in Duryea. They had a family 
of five children, namely: Henry, Joseph, Eliza- 
beth, Frances and George. 

Mr. and jMrs. Henry Zilk have a fannly (d' 
six children. (See Directonj) . Two children. 
Nettie and Frank died in infancy. 

There are only eighteen i)ersons in the I.^iiled 
Stale? by the name of "Zilk." 



District No. 3 — Mt. Dewey 

Judge of Election — William Bowen. 
Inspectors — William Gaul and Arnold Busch. 



OIKICRRS OF NEWiON TOWNSHII> 

Justices-of-the-Peace — Gould Whitlock and .]. F, 
Lacoe. 

As.sessor — William A Hice. 

Collector — Charles V. Decker. 

Koad Supervisors — Geo. W. Beenier, Chas. H. Bie- 
secker and Ira Drake. 

School Directors — Chas. H. Kresge, president; 
VVui. H. Newman, secretary; W. E. Larue, treasurer; 
B, F. Reed, vice-president, and Paul Aten. 

Auditors — Wm. D. Ayers, Geo. L. Coon, William 
.1. Biesecker. 

Judj-e of Election — Oscar O. Britton. 

InspectoKs — Sam'l W. Beemer and Harlan .lacoby. 

t'on.stablc — Amzi Rosenkrans. 

Treasurer — Chas. H. Biesecker. 

Health Officer — Horace Holcomb. 



(LI) HOrSES OF KANSO.M AND VEAU UUII.T 

.John Witzal 1832 

Edward E. Ace 18 40 

Mrs. Margaret Ott 18 42 

Charley Sanies (owned by his mother) about 18 44 

Anthony Schultheis about 3 845 

.John Crowell, est ,. .about 1845 

Mrs. Sarah Kunsman 1 8 4S 

Edwin S. Miller (occupied by Adam MilleDabt 1848 



OFFICERS OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 

Justice-of-the-Peace — Horace Holcomb. 

Constable — Chas W. Blackwell, 

.Assessor — James Lacoe. 

Collectcr — Horaf e Holcomb. 

lload Supervisors — Peter Bedell, Sr., ,James M. 
Liieoe and Chas. W. Blackwell. 

School Directors — Clarence D. Lacoe, ijresident; 
I-larry S. Corselins, secretary; Albert R. Davies, 
treasurer; Peter Bedell, Jr., and Willis L. Reed. 

Auditors — Martin Sickler, Geo. C. Coon and Wil- 
liam W. Ricketts. 

Health OHicer — Horace Holcomb. 

Ti-easurer — Roy W. Zeiss. 

District No. 1 

Judfie of EI<'ctiou — Harry A. Coin'tright. 
Inspectors — William Blackwell and Harry B. 
Winters. 



OIjD HOUSES OF NEWTON AND YEAR BUILT 

Amzi Rosenkrans 1825 

Thaddeus M. Roth 1839 

J.^ewis Phillipsky 1840 

Arthur R. Hollenback 1841 

Lewis B. Ayers, Sr about 18 44 

Andrew S. Colluni 18 48 

Peter C Winters 1853 

Adam Thompson 1856 



NEWTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 

The Presbyterian church at Newton Centre was 
torn down in October, 1912 (since the article on 
page 91 was printed), and has been moved to Old 
Forge and rebuilt. 



DIRECTORY OF NEWTON TOWNSHIP 



EXPLANATION — The head of the family is printed in boldface type, which is followed with 
his postoffice address, school district in which he lives, a brief history of the farm or house, and the 
name and date of birth of each member of the family, who are living at home. An asterisk (*» 
preceding head of the family indicates that the farm or property is owned by either the husband or 
wife, and not rented. 

The following abbreviations are used: a, acres: I), born: bro, brother; c, cow; dau, daughter; 
h, horse. 



*Ateii, Mrs. Eliz, (Bates). Bald 
Mt., Newton School; b. in Tunk- 
hannock Oct. 12, 18.5 9; came to 
N. about 1SS.5; taught 16 terms 
of school in Luzerne and Lacka- 
wanna counties, until married 
Aug. 6. 189 2 to Chas. Aten. who 
died April 29, 1894. Mrs. Aten 
served as postmistress at Bald 
Mount for ten years, from 189-5 
to 1905, and attended the local 
telephone exchange for about 
five years. Her daughter Mable 
is attending the East Strouds- 
burg State Normal School, pre- 
paring for a teacher. 

— Mable I,, dau., b. Jan. 6, 1891. 

*Ateii, Paul AV., general farmer 
Ransom, RDl, Shook School, b 
April 6, '52; 70a, 5c, 3h, 3 hogs. 

— Hattie (Bates), wife, b. July 20, 
1861. 

— Paul R, son, b Aug 22, 1888. 

— Helen M. dau, b Nov 28, 1891. 

*Ateu, Win., farm laborer. Ran- 
som, R. D. 1, Newton School, b. 
Jan. 5, 1879; 6a. 

— Rhoda (Dorsheimer) , wife, b. 
Dec. 31, 1883. 

— Hazel G, dau, b Dec 4, 1904. 

*Ayers, Lewis B, farmer and car- 
penter; Ransom, R. D. 1 ; Port 
Royal School; b Nov 25, 1830. 
Part of house built about 1844 
by Andrew Compton. 21a, Ic, 
Ih, 1 pig. 

— Phebe A (Collum), wife; b July 
6, 1833. 

Note — Mr. Ayers sold farm June 
2 6, 1912 to Lewis Phillipsky. 

Ayers, \Vm. D; laborer; Clarks 
Summit, R.D.2; Newton School; 
b in Newton April 20, 1869; son 
of Jacob; rents from Mrs. Julia 
A. Singer. 22a. 

— Matilda L (Munson), wife; b 
July 25, 1875. 

— Emma, dau, b Aug. 23, 1897. 

— Elmer, son, b Mar 2, 1899. 

— Katherine, dau, b Oct 26, 1900. 

— Arthur, son, b Feb 18, 1903. 

— John, son, b Nov 15, 1909. 

B 

•■•Beck, Geo A, carpenter and far- 
mer, Ransom, R. D. 2, Lacoe 



School; b Oct 2, 18 66. Sou of 
John. 8 5a, 2c. 

— Dora (Foss), wife, b Aijril IS, 
1S75. 

— Lloyd, son, b June 17, 1898. 

— Leah, dau, b Nov. 14, 1900. 

— Norma, dau. b Nov. 13, 1902. 

— Carl, son, b Feb 6, 1905. 

— Jessie, dau, b Sei)t 14, 1907. 

— Earl, son, b April 6, 1910. 

IJecnier, Geo. W., sujierintendenl 
of Hillside Home, Clarks Sum- 
mit, Fire Proof School; b Ai)ri] 
14, 1848 in Newton, on the farm 
he now owns, which is part of 
the farm settled in 1819, by 
Henry Beemer. First house 
built abt 185 6 by Elias Beem- 
er, a son of Henry and father 
of George W. This hou.'-re burn- 
ed about 1882, which was re- 
built in 1884 by the present 
owner. Arthur C. Stevens is 
living on the farm and working 
for Mr. Beemer. 19a, 10c, 5h, 
29 sheep. 

— Jennie ( Young ) .wife, b July 24, 
1854. 

— Floyd D, sou, b Aug 5, ISSS. 

Beenier, Samuel AV, store keeper 
at Hillside Home, Clarks Sum- 
mit, Fire Proof School; b Nov 
18, 1855; son of Elias and 
grandson of Henry Beemer. 
Married Jennie Thomas, who 
died in 1895. 

Bellerslieim, Charles teamster, 
Clarks Summit, R.D.2, Cosner 
School; b in Scranton, Jan 19, 
18 79; came to Newton in 191... 
Rents of John Collins. 18a, Ih. 

— Jennie (Perigo), wife; b Aug 8, 
1869. 

— Edna, dau, b Feb 3, 1901. 

— Hazel, dau. b July 3, 1902. 

— Verna, dau, b Nov 13,1904. 

— Frances, dau, b Feb 20, 1909. 

Perigo, George, father-in-law; b 
July 3, 1831. 

■•■Biesecker, Chas H, retired far- 
mer. Bald Mt, Newton School: 
b Oct 3, 1850; 15 0a, rented to 
Wm. J. Biesecker; Ih. 

— Elsie J. (Stevens), wife, b Feb 
2, 1857. 

— Carl H, son, b Jan 22, 1892. 

— Nora F, dau, b Sept 4, 1886. 



'■•Biesecker, George W,, farmer, 
Clarks Summit, RD2, Newton 
School; b in Newton Feb 2, 

1855. 155a, 15c. 51io. 

— Gertrude R (Knapp), wife, b 
Dec. 24, 1856. 

— Truman K, son, b Feb 4, 1889. 

Ijiese<'ker, George AV, Ransom, R. 
D.l, Shook School; b Oct 1, 
1825: living with his daughter, 
Mrs. David Nafus. 

Biesecker, AVni J, general farmer. 
Bald Mount, Newton School; b 
in Newton Mar. 7, 1881; son of 
Chas. H. 

— Mable (Reed), wife, b Jan 17, 
1885. 

— Helen M, dau, b Jan 2, 1908. 

— Zida E, dau, b Mar 25, 1909. 

*B<t«-uian F. K, nursery and seed 
agent. Bald Mt, Newton School; 
b in Sussex Co, N. J., July 31, 
1840 and came to Newton April 
2, 1894; son of George, la, Ih. 

— Huldah A (Pittenger), wife: b 
Oct 10, 1849. 

'•■Brittoii, Oscar O, carpenter, 
Schultzville. Schultzville Sc; b 
Jan 9. 1873: came to Newton 
in 1896: son of John. 20a, 3c, 
2 pigs. 

— Carrie (Rozelle), wife, b June 
21, 1873. 

— Hugh A, son, b Dec 6, 1894. 

— Burdette J, son, b Jan 30, 1898. 

— Regina W, dau, b Mar. 28, 1900. 

— Valera A, dau, b Jan 13, 1902. 

— Laurella E, dau, b Nov 29, 1903 

— Alice, dau, b April 21, 1907. 

— Emily F, dau, b Sept 2, 1910. 

— Rexford, son, b Jan 29, 1912. 

•'■Busteed, Richard, farmer. Bald 
Mount, Port Royal School; b in 
Ireland in Dec, 18 27 and came 
to this country Nov 10, 1856. 
He married Bedelia Coleman in 

1856, who died Dec 24, 1894. 
In May, 1895, he married Miss 
Mary Toomey, by whom he has 
had eight children. The oldest 
was born when Mr. Busteed was 
about 7 years of age. Mr. Bus- 
teed is now (1912) 85 years 
old and has a family of eight 
children, all living at home, 
and the oldest only 15 years of 
age. This farm was first set- 



2:!n 



i>Ti;i':rroi!Y of newtcn township 



tied about 1815 by Zeptha Mit- 
tan, it has been cleared by the 
present owner, who i)urchased 
farm in 1S6S and built house. 
42a, Ic, 2h, 2 pigs. 

— Mary (Toomey), wife, b Aug 16, 
1S73. 

— William, son, b .Jan 17, 1897. 

— Margaret, dau, b .June 17, 1S9S. 

— Richard G, son, b Mar :>. 1900. 

— Bessie, dau, b Nov 21, 1902. 

— Thomas A, son, b Apr 2 4, 1904. 

— Francis ,J, son, b May 14, 1906. 

— Robert N, son, b Nov. 16, 19 08. 

— Ruth, dau. b Aug 27, 1911. 

*HiitterfleI(l, John .S, dairy far- 
mer, Schultzville, Sehul'tzville 
School; b in Newton Nov 2 

1859. 106a, 17c, 4 ho. 
— Bertha (Winter), wife. 

C 

*Calioon, Jiidsoii ,J, butcher, 

Clarks Summit R.D.2, Newton 

School: b in Abington' June 26, 

1834; came to Newton about 

1860. Married Caroline McClos- 
key Dec 14, 1870, who died 
.Jan. 31, 1902. 2a. 

— Amanda J (Smith-Avers), wife 
b .July 16, 1S4S. 

Avers, Isaac, stepson; b March IS 
1SS2. 

Ciii-penter, Jolin L, general farmer, 
Schultzville, Schultzville School; 
b Aug 21, 18 72 in Factory ville 
and came to Newton April 1 , 
1912; son of Porter and Rosetta 
( Shaw ) Carjjenter. Farm set 
by- Sidney Beemer about 1844 
and built framed house across 
road from present house, which 
was built about 1870 by Mr. 
Beemer Mr. Carpenter was 
married March 2S, 189 4 to Miss 
Carrie M Swartz, dau of Wil- 
liam P. and Cynthia A. (Sick- 
ler) Swarts. Farm owned by 
Samuel Lasher. 5 0a, lie, 2h, 
2 hogs. 

— Carrie M, wife, b May 1, 1873. 

— Aimee A, dau, b Jan 12, 1895. 

— George L, son, b June 28, 1897. 

— Elmer G, son, b May 5, 1905. 

— Doris B, dau, b March 12, 1911, 

Carpenter, Win Ij, general farmer, 
Schultzville, Schultzville Sc; b 
in Pittston June June 4, ISSO; 
came to New Apr 1, 1911; son 
of Porter. Rents farm of Philip 
Harlos. 6 0a, 12c, 2h, 2 pigs. 

— Myrtle (Shotwell), wife, b Dec 
4, 1890. 

— Addaline, dau, b Oct 26, 1910. 

*('<)lluni, Andrew S, postmaster at 
Bald Mount since April 1, 19 05, 
Newton School ; b in Newton 
July 2 4, 1843. The first, or post- 
ofRce part of house, built in 
18 48 by Chauncey Sherwood, 
and new part in 1856. 

— Eliza (Follett), wife, b Apr 17, 
1839. 

Conistock, Jiulson C, retired car- 
jjenter, Clarks Summit, R.D.2, 
Newton School; b in Carbondale 
Nov 2 3, 1836; came to Newton 



with his father, Zebulon (about 
1840), who was a son of Zebu- 
lon Conistock, Sr., one of the 
Ijioneer settlers of Newton. 

— Giles N, brother, b Mar 9, 18 46. 

'■■Cook, John, farmer, Schultzville, 
Schultzville School; b in Ger. 
many Mar 10, 1840, and came 
to U. S. in 1872 and to Newton 
about 1888. 52a, 5c, 2h, 2 hogs. 

— Dorothy (Chonbech), wife, b 
Dec 19, 1840. 

■■■Coon, Kverett G, general farmer. 
Ransom, RDl, Shook School; 
b in Newton Feb. 1, 1865; son 
of Levi; married Miss Minnie 
Lasher June 4, 1896, who died 
Dec 20, 1909. 115a, 4c, 2h. 

— Inez M, dau, b April 25, 1897. 

— Edith V, dau, b Nov 14, 1898. 

— Eliza H, dau, b May 17, 1902. 

— Marjory, dau, b June 2, 1905. 

— Genevieve, dan, b May 28, 19 09. 

*Coon, (Jalusha A, general farmer. 
Ransom, R.D.I, Shook School; 
b in Newton Sept 19, 1868; son 
of Levi. 115a, 2c, 3h, 2 hogs. 

— Minnie H. ( Fenstermaker) .wife, 
b April 9, 1873. 

— Raymond G, son, b March 17. 
1899. 

— Laura G, dau, b Oct 11, 1900. 

— Harold A, son, b Oct 7, 1910. 

■■Coon, George Ijester, farmer, 

Clarks Summit R. D. 2 ; Cosner 

School; b July V, 1861, son of 

Merritt Coon. 90a, 4c,2h,l hog. 

— Ella A (Bailey), wife, b Feb IS, 
1864. 

— Etha E, dau, b Jan 30, 1890. 

— Ernest W, son, b Aug 9, 1S97. 

•■'Coon, Geo. Lievi, general farmer, 
Clarks Summit, R.D.2, Newton 
School, son of John; b in Virgi- 
nia Sept. 2 2, 1S5S; came to 
Newton in 1860. 161a, 15c, 3h, 
2 mules. This farm was set- 
tled by Joseph Coon. 

— Margaret (Smith), wife, b Feb 
6, 1864. ■ 

— Bessie, dau, b Feb. 7, 1893. 

— Winifred, dau, b Mar 13, 1898. 

— Angeline (B^assett), stepmother, 
b Aug 11, 1829. 

Coon, Oscar J), farm laborer, 
Clarks Summit, R.D.2, Newton 
School; b Oct 26, 1890 on the 
farm owned by his father, Geo. 
L. Coon. Oscar D. was married 
.June S, 1911 to Miss Lillian G, 
daughter of Charles V. and Mar- 
garet (Klipple) Decker of New- 
ton, Mr. Coon is working for 
his father. House owned by 
George L. Coon. 

— Lillian G, wife, b July 22, 1887. 

*("oo|)cr. Friend H, wheelwright. 
Bald Mount, Newton School; b 
in Newton July 14, 1S55. House 
and lot. Ih. 

— Hattie ( Vanderburg) , wife, b 
Aug 10, 1854. 

— Frank, son, b June 25, 189 3. 

— John, father, b Dec 4, 1S2S. 

''Cornell, Chas 'F, general farmer. 
Ransom, RDl, Schultzville Sc; 
b in Wyoming Co, Feb 2S, 1858; 



came to Newton April, 1864; 
son of William and grandson of 
Clark, 12 5a, 17c, 4h, 2 pigs. 

— Mary, mother, b Sept 25, 1825. 

'■'C'or.'-ielins, Peter, farmer. Ransom, 
R.D.2, Lacoe School; b in New- 
ton Feb 2, 18 43; son of Peter 
Corselius, one of the early set- 
tlers from Sussex county, N. J. 
13 0a, oc, 2h, 4 mules; married 
Octavia E Fitch, May 14, 1S69, 
who died Feb 7. 1905. 

'■'Cosner, Ijewis, farmer, Clarks 
Summit, R.D.2, Cosner School; 
b Nov 15, 1849. 112a, 9c, 3h. 

— Lillian (Bennett), wife, b April 
6, 1871. 

— Lewis, Jr, son, b Aug 20, 1892. 

Cosner, S. Howard, farmer. Scran- 
ton, West Branch, P.O.Box 424, 
Cosner School: son of Seldon S: 
b in Newton June 22, 1884: 
farm owned by Seldon S and 
worked by his two sons, Howard 
and Arthur. 235a, 5c, Ih, 4 
mules, 3 hogs. 

— Maud E (Lacoe), wife, b April 
20, 1886. 

— Kermit Quintin, son, b April 14, 
1905. 

— Charles S, son, b May 29, 1806. 

— Arthur D, son, b Mar 26, 1908. 

— Carl W, son, b Jan 2 3, 1910, 

Cosner. Seldon S, farmer. Scran- 
ton, West Branch, P.O.Box 424, 
Cosner School: son of David and 
Grandson of Lewis, one of the 
pioneer settlers: b Jan 2 2, 185 3. 
110a: owned by Martha L. Cos- 
ner. 9c, 1 h, 2 mules, 2 hogs. 
Farm settled by Lewis Cosner 
in 1816. 

— Martha L (Reed), wife, b Oct 

30, 1852. 

— D Arthur, son, b Dec 22, 1881. 
— Edna R, dau, b Mar 23, 1892. 

D 

Oecker, Andrew, truck farmer, 
Clarks Summit, R.D.2, Newton 
School; b in Overfleld township, 
Wyoming Co, Jan 27, 1S64; 
came to Newton about 19 00; 
son of Isaac. 7 0a; owned by 
Thos. Veety, 4c, 2h. 

— Esther (Mead), wife; b March 

31, 1867. 

— Frances, dau, b Aug 2 4, 1895. 

Mead, Elvira, stepdau, b March 6, 
1897. 

— Willie, stepson, b Feb 4, 1900. 

'■'Decker, Chas V, truck and berry 
grower. Ransom, R.D.2, Lacoe 
School; b in Sussex co, N.J, Nov 
25, 1852; came to Newton in 
1856. 3 4a, 4c, 2h, 3 l)igs. 

— Margaret (Klipple), wife, b Dec 
11, 1853. 

— I-Catherine, dau, student, b June 
17, 1890. 

Del Melia, Michael, laborer. Bald 
Mount, Newton School; b in 
France, May 11, 1867; came to 
this country about 1890 and to 
Newton in July, 189 7. His first 
wife, Mary Genor, died Oct 3, 
1909. 



DIRECTORY OF NEWTO,N TOWNSHIP 



231 



— Florence (Cethcart), wife, b 
Oct 30, 1885. 

— Mary Frances, dau, b Feb 12, 
1898. 

— Anna Louise, dau, b Nov 14, '11 

Cethcart, Charlie, stepson, b Mar 
6, 1909. 

* Drake, Ira, dairy and truck far- 
mer. Ransom, R. D. 1, Shook 
School, b in Ransom May 13, 
18.5 2; came to Newton about 
1880, and in April, 1892 moved 
to his present home, which he 
purchased from Amzi Myers. 
Farm settled by Adam Taylor 
about 1825, who built a log- 
house near the spring, above 
house now occupied by Philip 
Winter. Farm was purchased 
by Joseph Rozelle and his wife, 
Hettie, in Dec, 1838, and May 
4, 18 40 was sold to Geo. Myers 
for $1,164. 190a, 24c, 5h, 5 
hogs. 

— Mary A (Blackwelll, wife, b 
May 24, 1850. 

•'Drake, Jeiining.s L, carpenter. 
Bald Mount, Xewton School; b 
•July 5, 1873 in Ransom; son of 
Ira. House and lot. 

— Dean (Lasher), wife, b June 10, 
1866. 

— Ira A, son, b July 4, 1900. 

•■■■Duiilap, A I'errington, dairy far- 
mer, Clarks Summit, R.2, Fire 
Proof School; b Feb 10, 1843 in 
Falls township; came to Newton 
about 1875: purchased farm in 
1893 from Andrew Singer; farm 
settled by Mr. Singer's father. 
2 0a, 10c, 2h, 4 pigs. 

— Eva, dau, b Feb 10, 1864. 

•■■Diiulap, Kdjiai' B, general farmer, 
Clarks Summit, R.2, Fire Proof 
School; b Aug 4, 1864 in Falls 
township, Wyoming Co; farm 
settled by Edward Rozelle and 
was purchased by John Rings- 
dori)h in 1860, who willed the 
same to his sons, William and 
Adam. William Ringsdori)h 

sold farm to Frank W. Tennant 
about 1906, who sold to present 
owner June 21, 1911. Mr. Dun- 
lap moved to farm Feb 15, 1912. 
House built about 1845 by Ed. 
Rozelle. 9 3a, 12c, 4h, 4 pigs. 

— Emma R (Alger), wife, b May 
28, 1865, 

— Earl A, son, b June 26, 1893. 

— F. Howard, son, b Mar 5, 1907. 

K 

•■'Eckel, Fred, Jr, farmer. Ransom, 
R.D.I, Port Royal School; b 
Sept 13. 1873; moved to Newton 
in 1906. 91a, 7c, 2h, 1 mule. 
2 pigs. Farm settled about 

18 2 by Jonas Fuller. 

— Lena (Schaffer), wife, b Nov 11, 
1877. 

— Clara, dau, b Feb 24, 1904. 

— Phennie, dau, b Nov 11, 1906. 

— Carolina A, dau, b Apr 3, 1908. 

"■■ Kdwai'ds, Chas S, general farmer, 
Schultzville, Schultzville School; 
b in Dalton Oct 10, 1S59; came 



to Newton in War, 19 08. 24a, 

3c, 111, 1 hog. 
-Jessie C (Hiorns), wife, b July 

2, 1870. 
-Richard S, sou, b Nov 16, 1898. 
-Christine W, dau b Dec 13, '02. 



•■"Falls, Cliris, farmer, Clarks Sum- 
mit, R.D. 2, Schultzville School; 
b in Germany Oct 23, 1842. 22a. 
4c, 2h. 

— Dora ( Fauldenhaust) , wife, b 
Feb 26, 1844. 

Falls, John, attendant at Hillside 
Home, Clarks Summit, Schultz- 
ville School ; b in Newton Oct 
25, 1888; son of Christopher; 
living in part of Philip Harlos' 
house. 

— Helen ( Bardwell ) , wife. 

— Fariiaiii, Walter, teamster. 
Clarks Summit, R2, Cosner Sc: 
b Feb 8, 1887 in Wyoming co; 
came to Newton in May, 1909; 
driving team for Geo Alger, and 
living in his house. 

^Nettie M ) Swarts ) , wife, b Aug 
7, 1887. 

— Dana, son, b Apr 17, 1911. 

'•'Finkler, Jlr.s. Lena (Milteiiher- 
S'er), Ransom, R. D. 2, Lacoe 
School; b in New York city Apr 
15, 1837; came to Newton in 
1867; widow of Peter Finkler. 
252a, 6c, 4h, 3 hogs. 

— Charles A, son, b Jan 2 0, 1882. 

— Agnes ( Siraonson ) , daughter-in- 
law, b Feb 20, 1887. 

'■ Kitzsiiiinions, Mary (Riley), 
Schultzville, Schultzville School, 
b in Ireland Dec 20, 1848; came 
to Newton in 1867; married 
Patrick Fitzsimmous June 16, 
1867, who died Oct 17, 1898. 
]]3a, 20c, 3h, 

— Philip V, son, farmer, b April 
20, 1879. 

— Nellie R, dau, b Jan 10, 1886. 

— Matilda R, dau, b Oct 28, 1890. 

Taylor, Isabela M, grand dau, b 
Nov 5, 1898. 

— Gertrude, granddau, b May 5, '00 

••■Ford, John, farmer, Schultzville, 
Schultzville School; b in Ireland 
Jan 6, 1839 and came to U. S. 
in 1860 and to Newton in 1866. 
135a, 2c, 2h. 

— John, son, b in Newton. 

Manning, Mrs. Elizabeth, dau. 

— Joseph, grandson, b Mar 22, 'OS. 

■•Franney, Anthony J, miner. Ran. 
som, R.D. 2, Lacoe School; b in 
Scranton Mar 31, 18 79; came to 
Newton Mav 10, 1906. 17y2a, 
2c, Ih. 

— Nora (O'Malley), wife, b Jan 
17, 1879. 

— Thomas, son, b May 23, 1903. 

— Harry, son, b June 29, 1904. 

— Dorothy, dau, b Mar 5, 1906. 

— James, son, b Feb 4, 1908. 

— Kathryn, dau, b Oct 2, 1909. 

— James, father, b in Ireland Apr 
14. 1849. 

■■■FuHer, A D, farmer, Bald Mount, 
Newton School; b Aug 2 0, 18 44 



in Newton near Christopher Van 
Buskirk's residence; son of Ed- 
ward and Lucinda (Ayers) Ful- 
ler and a grandson of Jonas, who 
settled in Newton about 1820 
on the farm now owned by Fred 
Eckel. A D Fuller married Miss 
Mary M, daughter of Chas and 
Susan Wilson. 12a, Ih. 

— Mary M, wife, b in Ransom. 

*Fuller, John, farmer. Bald Mt, 
Newton School; b in Newton 
May 2 0, 18 48; son of Aaron A. 
One son living. Dr. E. A. Ful- 
ler, a dentist, living in Dalton. 
25a, 2c, 2h. 

— Lucinda (wife), b May 24, 1852. 

Fnller, Cora H, Bald Mount. New- 
ton School; b Nov 8, 1870; liv- 
ing with her mother, Mrs. Phebe 
■Vanderburg. 

(; 

*(iiarrisoii, Ijcwis D, general far, 
Clarks Summit, R. D. 2, Cosner 
School; b in Newton Sept 16, 
1841 ; son of Eder. 25a, 3c, 3h. 

— 'Violet (LaRue), wife, b Apr 10, 
1858. 

— Albert E, son, b Jan. 31, 1893. 

Ayers, Cora M, dau, b Oct 4, 1885. 

^Violet J, granddau, b .fune 15, 
1902. 

— Ada H, granddau, b Oct 20, '03. 

■•■Garri.son, Win, farmer, Clarks 
Summit, R.D. 2, Cosner School, 
b near Scranton Feb 4, 1838; 
came to Newton with his father, 
Eder Garrison, when only one 
year old. 2 3a, 2c, Ih. 

Griffin, Martin, cousin, carpenter; 
b July 21, 1805. 

*(iood\viii, John K, farmer, Clarks 
Summit, R.D. 2, Cosner School; 
b Oct 3, '33. 78a, 2c, lb, 4 pigs. 

(ireen, Mis.s Elizabeth M, Ransom, 
R.D.I, Shook School; b Apr 1, 
1857 near Dushore and came to 
Newton in 1910 and living with 
her cousin, Mrs. Horton 'Vaughn. 
Daughter of Edmund and Anna 
(Heisz) Green. 

''Grittin, John 15, general farmer, 
Schultzville. Schultzville School, 
b June 30, 1853; son of Pelham 
Griffin. 69a, 12c, 3h. 

— Louisa (White), second wife, b 
Aug 8, 1872, 

— Stanley R, son, b July IS, 1890. 

— John E, son, b Sept 12, 1908. 

White, Wm, stepson, b Jan 27, 
1890. 

Grittin, Walter, carpenter, Schultz- 
ville, Schultzville School; b Sept 
27, 1885; son of J B Griffin. 3c. 

— Grace ( Brower) , wife, b Sept 26, 
1882. 

— Chas B, son, b April 19, 19 09. 

H 

*Harlos, I'hilip, farmer and mer- 
chant, Schultzville, Schultzville 
School; b in Ransom Mar 11, 
1848 and came to Newton about 
1861; son of Philip, Sr; married 
Mary A Howey Aug 22, 1865, 
who died May 20, 1906. Mr. 



232 



DtKECTOin' OF N1-:WT(>N TOWNSIIIT 



Harlos owns (he J B Schultz 
farm. 113a, 2ric. 3h, Z hogs. 

— Christina, clau, b Sept 1, 1S79. 

•■■Harris, Thomas, farmer, Clarks 
Summit, R.D.2, Cosner Schol; b 
in Morris Run, Nov 1.5, 1S63. 
73a, 2c, 2h, 

— Louisa (Sealer), wife, b ,Iune 
17, 1868, 

— Sarah, dau, b Oct 24, 1900. 

— Sylvia, dau, b Dec 8, 1902. 

•■■Hicc, Win A, truck farmer. Ran- 
som, R.D.2, Newton School; b in 
Newton Sept 2, 1865; son of 
John. lOSa, 4c, 4h., 5 pigs. 

— Winifred (Swartz), wife, b ,Tulv 
2, 1881. 

— Burson J, son, b ,Tune 13, 1896. 

— Clarence W, son, b Oct 6, 1900. 

Swartz, Alfred E, ste|)son, b ,Jan 4, 
1898, 

— Rextord C, stepson, b Sept 2 4, 
1900. 

Hiorns, Emily P(Ueei'her)Schultz- 
ville, Schultzville School; widow 
of Rev Richard Hiorns, a M E 
minister, who died Oct 2 4, 1901. 
Mrs. Hiorns was b Feb 2, 1844 
in Tioga Co, N Y; now living 
with her son-in-law, Charles S. 
Edwards, Schultzville. 

Hopkins, Harry W, general far- 
mer, Schultzville, Schultzville 
School; b Nov 17, 1884 in New- 
ton. oOa, owned by his father, 
.Judson D. 6c, 3h, 1 pig. 

— Avis (Dorsheimer) , wife, b Oct 
20, 1887. 

— .Judson D, father, farmer. 

* Hopkins, Rntli M, far'r, Schultz- 
ville, Schultzville Sc; born ,)uly 
12, 18 32; widow of Solomon 
Hopkins, who died Aug 17, '8 4. 
16a, 2c, 1 pig. 

Zimmerman, William, hired man, 
b Dec 12, 1S4S. 

•■■Hopkins, Mrs Nettie, widow of 
Peter Hopkins, who died Oct 25, 
1898; Schultzville; Schultzville 
School; b May S, 18 46; dau of 
Philetus Havens, of Bradford 
CO. 50a, 4c. 

— Ida E, stepdau, b Sept 15, 1866. 

•■'Hollenback, Arthur R, gen far- 
mer, Ransom, R. D.l ; Shook 
School; b Feb S, 1859 in Falls 
township and came to Newton 
in March, 1898. Farm settled 
by William Lane and William 
Brink about 1825; house built 
in 18 41 by Amos Learn. 13 0a, 
3c, 4h, 3 hogs. 

— Lydia E (Traugerl, wife, b .Ian 
8, 1864, 

— Lovell L, son, b April 12, 1896. 

Hollister, Amos G, dairy farmer, 
Clarks Summit, R.D.2, Schultz- 
ville School; b in Bath, Pa, Sept 
7, 1879; came to Newton in 
1900. 100a, 30c, 3h. 

— Ruth( Lower), wife, b .luly 26, 
1S89. 

— Bonno, son, b Aug 4, 1905. 

••■Holmes, John (J, general farmer. 
Ransom, R.D.I, Shook School; 
b Sept 22, 1852 in Sullivan co, 
and came to Newton in .June, 



1904. Farm settled by Silas 
Sutton, and originally was part 
of the farm now owned by Hor- 
ton Vaughn. House built by 
Mr. Holmes in 1905. 100a, 15c, 
2 mules, 3 hogs. 

— Lillie P (Morton), wife, b .Ian 
25, 1858. 

— Ray V, son, b March 5, 1892. 

— Hazel M, dau, b Aug 23, 1S94. 

J 

■'Jacoby, Arthur, truck farmer, 
Clarks Summit, R.D.2, Newton 
School; b in Newton May, 18 44. 
Son of .lacob. House built about 
■40 by Mr Albright. 26a, 3c, 2h. 

— Ida ( Ayers) , wife, b Nov 8, 1862. 

— Ralph, son, b ,Iune 5, 1882. 

— Ernest, son, b April 9, 1886. 

— Kate, dau, b Dec IS, 1893. 

— .Jacob, son, b Dec 31, 1897. 

Jacohy, Hen.j, farmer. Bald Mount, 
Newton School; b May 31, 1863. 

— Catherine (Ayers), wife, b Dec 
19, 1867. 

— Howard, son, carjjenter, b Mav 

25, 1886. 

— Helen, dau, b Feb 19, 1908. 

•■Jacohy, Harlan, truck farmer, 
Clarks Summer, R.D.2, Newton 
School; b in Newton Dec 2 6, 
1866; son of Jacob; farm settl- 
ed in 1832 by Henry Walter; 
house built in 1900 by Mr. Ja- 
cohy. 4Sa, 3 h, 2c. 

— Eva ( Rosenkrans) , wife, 
13, 1871. 

— George E, son, b Nov 

— Ruth M, dau, b April 

— Gertrude E, dau, b 
1896. 

— Eric H, son, b Dec I'i 

K 

*Kellcr, Ohas, farmer, Clarks Sum- 
mit, R.D.2, Fire Proof School; 
b in Moscow May 9, 1848; son 
of John. 5 0a, lie, 3h, 2 hogs. 

— Martha (Decker), wife, b June 
22, 1849. 

Keller, James, farmer; son of 
Charles, and living in i)art of 
his fathers house, b Mar 22, '76. 

— Gertrude ( Goodwin), wife, b Oct 
6, 1876. 

— Charlie, sou. b Nov 10, 1902. 

— Clara M, dau, b Sept 2, 1905. 

— Ruth E, dau, b April 28, 1907. 

— Martha H, dau, b Dec 19, 1909. 

■•■Kern, Kdward A, far, Clarks Sum- 
mit, R. D. 2, Cosner School, b 
July 9, 1864. 60a, 4c, 3h. 

— Arena A (Lesli), wife, b Dec 27, 
1869. 

— Alfred B, son, b Feb 16. 1893. 

— Mable C, dau, b Jan 9, 189 5. 

— A Laurence, son, b Dec 6, 1896. 

Kintzel, Jolm, [arm lab'r, Schultz- 
ville, Schultzville School; b in 
Germany March, 1879; came to 
Newton about 1905. 

— Etta (Freeman) wife, b June 

26, 1883. 

— Edna, dau, b Mar 17, 1906. 
'■■Kircher, Kdwai'd, general farmer. 
Bald Mount, Port Royal School; 



Apr 
392. 



14 

29, 1894 

June 1 7 

, 1897. 



b Seijt 10, 1884, Farm settled 
by Jno K Reed about 1820; h'e 
built by Peter Rutan about 
1850. 97a, 3c, 3h, 3 hogs, 

— Zida E(Rifenbary),wife, b May 
12, 18S3. 

— D Arline, dau, b Feb 21, 1910. 

*Koi'rner, Chas H, brakeman on 
D., L. & W. R. R., Clarks Sum- 
mit, RD2, Newton School; son 
of George; b in Monroe co. Sept 
12, 1869; came to Newton Mar 
1 1, 1908. 37a, 4c, 3h, 

— Katie (Shaller), -wife, b May 6, 
1S72. 

— Clara Mae, dau, b Aug 27, 1895. 

— George S, son, b Aug 11, 1897. 

— Emma E, dau, b Mar 27, 1903. 

Shaller, Jacob, brother-in-law, b 
May 21, 1882. 

*Kresse, ('has II, dairy and truck 
farmer, Schultzville, Schultz- 
ville School; b Oct 24, 1875 
House built in '63 by Israel Ro- 
zelle. 100a, 20c. 9h, 3 hogs. 

— Fannie E (Blewitt), wife, b Oct 
22, 1863. 

-. — Emorgene, dau, b Jan 17, 1904. 

— William B, son, b Feb 21, 1906. 

"'Kresfje, Thomas M, general far- 
mer, Ransom. R. D. 1 , Shook 
School; b May 11, 1872 in Falls 
township, and came to Newton 
with his parents in April, 1893. 
This farm is part of a 500 acre 
tract owned several years ago by 
Eli.1ah Rosenkrans and about 
18(30 it was jiurehased by Ben- 
jamin Young, and later it was 
divided into smaller farms. The 
first house was built in 1869 by 
Thomas Kresge, Sr, grandfather 
of the present owner. In 1900, 
David Kresge built the house 
across the road. The farm was 
purchased by present OAvner in 
1911, and same year he pur- 
chased part of the Vanderburg 
farm. 200a, 18c, 3 h, 2 mules. 

— Georgiana, wile, b Jan 1, 1873. 

— Ralph D, son, b Dec 29, 1904. 

— Donald T, son, b Dec 11, 1906. 

— Elsie M, dau, b Aug 2, 1911, 

— David, father, b Dec 19, 1845. 



*ljacoe, Chas E, farmer. Ransom, 
R.D.2, Lacoe School; b in Nich- 
olson May 18,1854. 100a, 6c, 
4h, 4 pigs. 

— Huldah C (Rosenkrans), wife, 
b Oct 26, 1857. ' 

— Bert B, sou, b Sept. 9, 1888. 

— Hice J, son, b Aug 6, 1890. 

— Helen V, dau, b Feb. 16, 19 00. 

Lacoe, Tra A, farm laborer, Ran- 
som, R.D.2, Newton School; b 
July 23, 1881 in Newton town- 
shiii; son of Charles E and Hul- 
dah (Rosenkrans)) Lacoe; mar- 
ried Dec 2, 1902 to Miss Sadie 
B, dau of Christopher H and 
Rachel (Roth) Klipple of Mil- 
waukie; living in Presbyterian 
parsonage. 

— Sadie B, wife, b Oct 25, 1882. 

— Christoi)her C, son, b July 4, 



DIRECTORY OF NEWTO,N TOWNSHIP 



233 



1904/ 

— Gustavus R, son, b Maj' 9, '06. 

— Chester B, son, b Sept 9, 1907. 

— John H, son, b Dec 2, 1909. 

-— Elwood I, son, b Sept 3, 1911. 

*Ijacoe, John P, general farmer. 
Ransom. R.D.2. Lacoe School; 
b in Newton July 18, 1858. 130 
acres in Newton and 5 0a wood- 
land in Ransom. 10c, 4h, 8 pigs. 

— Nelson S. son, carpenter, b Sept 
4, 1884. 

— Martha L, dau, teacher, b June 
16. 1886. 

"■Lacoe, Joseph A, farmer, BaTd 
Mount, Lacoe School; b in New- 
ton Oct 1, 1S62. 203a, ISc, 6 
horses, 4 pigs. 

■ — Jennie S (wife), b Feb 8, 1862. 

— William A, son, b Jan 7, 1887. 

— Archie G, son, b July 13, 1891. 

— Ralph D, son, b Mar 1, 1895. 

— Harry S, son, b Sept 23, 1S98. 

— James Wallace, son, b June 7, 
1904. 

— Joseph Wendell, son b June 7, 
1904. 

LaGiange, Grace ( Biitteifielcl ) , 
Schultzville, Schultzville School 
— b in Newton. 12a. 

— Mary J, dau, b Aug 12, 1895. 

*LaRue, iMis Abigail A (Waiien) 
Clarks Summit, RD2, Cosner 
School; widow of Daniel W, b 
June 15, 183 3. Farm settled 
about 1812 by Zebulon Corn- 
stock. 248a; worked by Wm. 
E. Larue. 

— L, May, dau, b Aug 2 4, 18 72. 

*LaBue, Willie E, general farmer 
and Contractor, Clarks Summit, 
R.D.2, Cosner School; son of 
Daniel W; b in Newton Jan 28, 
1870. 128a, 6c, 6h, 18 pigs. 

— Nellie (Dailey), b June 8, 1875. 

— Harry A, son, b Oct 4, 1895. 

— Walter E, son, b Oct 31, 1904. 

— Emily A, dau, b Aug 8, 1906. 

Learn, Trac.v, photographer. Bald 
Mount. Newton School; b in 
Ransom May 2 5, 1873; came to 
Newton June 27, 1908 from 
Forty Port; had scarlet fever 
when 3 years old, which left him 
deaf and dumb; on Oct 22, 1SS3 
he entered Pennsylvania Institu- 
tion for the Deaf, corner Pine 
and Broad Sts. in Philadelphia, 
where he remained until June 
10, 1893. He is a son of Har- 
vey Learn. 



M 

Bla.ior Chas. E, farmer, Schultz- 
ville, Schultzville School; b in 
1856; came to New frim Scran- 
ton March, 1910. 65a, Ic, 2h, 
2 pigs. Purchased farm from 
L. J. Stonier. 

— Eliza (Ware), wife, b Aug 17, 
1856. 

— George J, son, b June 20, 1889. 

— Fred C, son, b Sept 14, 1894. 

McPfanaiiKin, Patrick J, engineer, 
Clarks Summit, Fire Proof 
School; b March 10, 18 7 8 in 
Providence and came to .Newton 



July 16, 1905; son of James and 
Bessie (Gaffney) McNanamon; 
married Oct 17, 1905 to Miss 
Mildred, daughter of Peter and 
Amelia (Knopf) Sherrer of 
Moosic. Blr. McNanamon has 
been engineer at Hillside Home 
since July, 1905. House owned 
by Hillside Home, and built 
about 1855 by Jolm Seeley. Part 
of farm settled by Edward Ro- 
zelle. 

— Mildred, wife, b Jan 22, 1887. 

— Mildred, dau, b Aug 12, 1906. 

— William, son, b Oct 5, 1910. 

Maimino-, Mrs. Elizabeth, Schultz_ 
ville; living with her father, 
John Ford; b in Newton. 

— Joseph, son, b Mar 22, 1908. 

McNay, Mrs. Catherine, Clarks 
Summit, R. D 2, Fire Proof 
School; b Nov 27, 1838 in Ire- 
land and came to this country 
in 186 0, and to Newton in Mar, 
1911. This farm was first set- 
tled in 18 03 by Barronet Rod- 
ney, which was the second farm 
settled in the township. House 
built about 1855 by Theodore 
Stone, who owned the farm fif- 
ty-two years, This place has 
been known as "Stone's Cor- 
ners'' for several years. Farm 
owned by Thomas McDonald of 
Scranton. 3 7a, Ic, 2h. 

— Thomas F, son, b Feb 6, 1877. 

Metzgar, Elizabeth (Blackwell), 
Bald Mount, Newton School; b 
Sept 2 4, 1854; married Edward 
Metzgar (b Mar 17, 18 48), Jan 
12, 1884, who d. Dec 28, 1897. 

— Ira M, son, carpet weaver, b Oct 
14, 1892. 

*Michaels, Dennis, general farmer, 
Newton School; b in Exeter twp. 
Jan. 1, 184 2, and came to New- 
ton about 1892. Farm settled 
in Nov, 1832 by Horace Collum. 
Mr Michaels married Miss Sa- 
mantha, dau of Jacob and Eli- 
zabeth (Walters) Ace. 96a, 7c, 
4h, 5 pigs. 

— Samantha, wife, b Mar 21, 18 44. 

— George W, son, b Dec 10, 1877. 

— Sadie (Benedict), daughterJn- 
law. 

Mitteer, Chas H, blacksmith. Bald 
Mount, Newton School; b near 
LaPlume, June 7, 1889; came 
to Newton Jan 16, 1911; son of 
,Tohn L. House and lot, belongs 
to John Fuller. Ih. 

— Stella (Brown), wife, b Aug 28, 
1885. 

■■•Morrow, Frank N, dairy farmer, 
Schultzville, Schultzville School; 
b in Abington twp May 6, 18 60; 
came to Newton in 1885; son of 
Solomon, who came from Sus- 
sex CO, N J about 1830 with 
Peter Richards.. 90a, 15c, 2h. 

— Louisa (Beck), wife, b June 25, 
1860. 

— Mary L, dau, Sept 16, 1888. 

■•■Miinsoii, John H, piano tuner, 
Clarks Summit, R2, Fire Proof 
School; b May 3, 1874 in Dal- 
ton; came to Newton in 1907, 



when he purchased farm of Jes- 
se Ware; son of John B and 
Minerva (Brooks) Munson of 
Dalton; married Miss Anna, dau 
of William H and Mary J (HauL 
deman) Fry. 8a, 2c, Ih, 2 hogs. 

— Anna, wife, b Deo 2, 1878. 

— Horace S, son, b Sept 15, 1899. 

— J. Gray, son, b Mar 9, 19 02 

— Ezra B, son, b Feb 2, 1906. 

— Minerva, dau, b Oct 24, 1907. 

— Florence A, dau, b Jan 16, 1909. 

— Nevada, dau, b April 2, 1911. 

N 

'■'■Nafus, David, farmer and carpen- 
ter. Ransom, Rl, Shook Sc; b 
Sept 16, 1866. 20a, 3c, Ih. 

— Annie (Biesecker), wife, b Mar 
9, 1866. 

— Ira E, son, b Jan 25, 1901. 

— Bertha, dau, b Jan 20, 1903. 

Biesecker, George W, father-in- 
law, b Oct 1, 1825. 

'••Newman, Jolm C, general farmer. 
Ransom, R.D.I, Shook School; 
b in Newton April 2 5, 1865; son 
of Chas H, who settled farm and 
built house in 1859. 112a, 2c, 
2h, 49 sheep. 

— Estella (Frisbie), wife, b July 
6, 1885. 

— Charles H, son, b Dec 5, 1898. 

— Mary E, dau, b Aug 12, 1901. 

— Florence D, dau, b Maf 17, 
1905. 

— Lester, son, b June 5, 1911. 

'•'Newman, Wm H, physician. Bald 
Mount, Newton School; b in 
Newton Aug 13, 18 71; son 
of Chas H; house and lot. 3h. 

— Alice B (Coon), wife, b June 1, 
1877. 

— George C, son, b Aug 16, 1905. 

— Marion J, dau, b Nov 9, 1906. 

— William H, son, b Nov 15, 1907. 

O 

'■'Osterhout, Erastiis F, truck far- 
mer, Schultzville, Schultzville 
School; b in Monroe co, Aug 30, 
1858 and came to Newton about 
1891. 20a, 2c, Ih. 

— Laura (Kittle), wife, b May 29, 
1867. 

— Nora May, dau, b Sept 12, 1901. 

— Pearl, dau, b July 7, 1906. 



"^Padden, Patrick, farmer, Clarks 
Summit, R.D.2, Cosner School; 
b in Ireland. 60a, 12c, 3h. 

— Hannah (Plynn), b Nov, 1843. 

— Thomas, son, b Dec, 1880. 

— Anna L, dau, bookkeeper, b Feb, 
1876. 

Parker, Archabald, laborer, Clarks 
Summit, R. D. 2, Fire Proof 
School: b in Orange co, N Y Dec 
26, 1845; house owned by 
Frank Slate. Mr. Parker, on 
the morning of Oct 20, 1910, 
while liunting, shot himself 
above the right ankle, and the 
same day his leg was amputat- 
ed .iust below the knee. 

— Dora (Rogers), wife, b Aug 5, 
1876. 



234 



DIRECTOKY OF NEWTO,N TOWNSHIP 



— James, sou, b Mar 2 3, 189 6. 

— Archie, son, b Aug 2 5, IS 08. 

— Lavern. son, b .Tan 14, 1901. 

*Peter.s, Abniiii, farmer, Bald Mt, 
Port Royal School; b Jan 18, 
1870; came to Newton from 
Scranton in 1892; purchased 
farm in 1910 of Benjamin Ja- 
coby. 50a, 2c, 2h. 

— Rosanna (Tucker), wife, b Apr 
10, 1873. 

— EIer,y T, son, b Oct 16, 1894. 

— Henritta, dau, b Nov 20, 1895. 

— Byron .J, son, b March 7, 1907. 

'■•Petli'ick, Forrest- M, farmer. Ran- 
som, R.D.I, Shook School; b 
.June 21, 1871. 46a, 2h. 

— Anna M, (Hines), wife, b March 
24, 1871. 

— Merritt W, son, b Mar 3 0, 1896. 

— Henry W, son, b .June 11, 1900. 

Petty, J. Francis, farm laborer. 
Ransom, R.D.2, Newton School; 
b in Milwaukie Jan 3, 18 87 and 
came to Newton in April, 1910; 
son of Milton, of Ransom; work- 
ing for his father. 

— Hannah M (Decker), wife, b 
Aug 2, 1886. 

— Mary, dau, b Nov 2 6, 19 09. 

— Florence M, dau, b March 26, 
1911. 

'■■l^liiiUipsky, Lewis, farmer. Ran- 
som, R.D.I, Port Royal School; 
b in 1862. 94a, 14c, 4h, (Pol- 
ish family. House built in 1840 
by Andrew Compton; settled by 
Andrew Com])ton In 1815. 

— Lizzie, wife, born in 1865. 

— Agnes, dau, b Oct 15, 1891. 

— Peter, son, b Sept, 1895. 

— Victoria, dau, b Dec 25, 1900. 

— Mike, son, b Sept, 1902. 

— Helen, dau, b April 6, 1904. 

— Stella, dau, b Sept, 1906. 

— John, son, b Dec 8, 1909. 

R 

Racht, John S, farm laborer, 
Clarks Summit. R.D.2, Newton 
School; b March 25, 1879 in 
Canaan township, Wayne coun_ 
ty, and came to Newton Apr 2 0, 
1912, Son of Sebastian and 
Catherine Racht, who were born 
in Germany; married Sept 9, 
19 08 to Miss Clara M, daughter 
of John and Catherine (Bub- 
ser) Rose of Cherry Ridge twp., 
Wayne co. Farm owned by 
Mrs. Hattie Lesh of Bald Mount. 
ISa. 

— Clara M, wife, b Dec 3, 1881. 

— Paul J, son, b Aug 7, 1909. 

— Robert A, son, b Jan 31, 1911. 

*Reeil, B. Frank, farmer and ber- 
ry grower. Ransom, R.D.2. La- 
coe School; b in Milwaukie Mar 
13, 1859. 89a, 6c, 3h, 3 pigs. 

— Mary (Klipple), wife, b Sept 5, 
1859. 

— Ethel H, dau. b June 5, 1888. 

— Anna E. dau. b Sept 10. 1891. 

— Pauline E, dau, b Aug. 29, 1893. 

— Mariorie, dau, b Apr 16, 1896. 

— Nicholas E. son, b Aug 27, 189 9 

Reed, Janie.s, carpet and rug "wea- 
ver, Clarks Summit, R.D.2, Cos- 



ner School; house owned by 
Lewis Oosner, b July 29, 1864. 
— Cora (Mack), wife, b Nov 2, 

1879. 
— Roy A. son, b Mar 21, 1897. 
— Maud E, dau, b Aug 12, 1899. 
— Lucy, dau, b Sept 16, 19 03. 
— Benjamin J, son, b Sept 4, 1905. 
•■■Reed, George Jr., dairy farmer, 
Clarks Summit, R. D. 2, Cosner 
School; b Oct 10, 1876. 50a, 
13c, 3h, 3 hogs. 
— Anna (Walsh), wife, b Jan 13, 

1877. 
— Geo. J, son, b June 16, 1908. 
— Eugene, son, b .July 12, 1910. 
*Reg'an, Peter, farmer, Clarks 
Summit, R.D.2, Cosner School; 
b in Ireland. 15 a. 
Riohartls, Aseneath (VanSiekle), 
Ransom, R. D.l, Shook School; 
b Sept 6, 1843; widow of Orin 
B Richards; daughter of Wm. 
and Rachel (Beemer) VanSiekle 
of N J; house owned by her son, 
C. S. Richards. 
*Ric)iarcls, Christopher S, truck 
and dairy farmer. Ransom, R. 
D.l, Shook School; b Nov 23, 
1861 in Wantage twp, Sussex 
CO, N J; came to Newton in Apr, 
ISSl; son of Orin B and Ase- 
neath Richards; purchased farm 
containing 120 acres from John 
Kresge, in Dec, 1895. This 
farm was settled in 18 32 by 
Timothy Drake. In May, 1911, 
Mr. Richards iiurchased 100 
acres of D. W. Richards, which 
is part of farm settled in 18 3 2 
by Peter Richards. Mr. Rich- 
ards has a peach orchard con- 
taining 650 trees, 
— Sarah Jane (Snover), wife, b 

Aug 9, 1861. 
— Frank E, son, b July 10, 1893. 
■■■Ricliards, Daniel W, retired far- 
mer. Ransom, R. D. 1, Shook 
School; b Feb 22, 1839; part of 
farm settled in 18 32 by his fa- 
ther, Peter Richards; house 
built about 1860 by Jacob B. 
Richards. 80a, Ih. 
— Anna (Mahoney-Richards) .wife 

b Sept 13, 1857. 
'■'Richards, Elmer E, laborer. Bald 
Mount, Newton School; b in N. 
June 13, 1861; son of Jacob B; 
house and lot purchased in 1894 
— Alice (Harris), wife, b in Wales, 

April 5, 18 — . 

— Maud B, dau, b Aug 20, 1893. 

*Roach, John, far, Schultzville, 

Schultzville School; b in Ireland 

June 25, 18 37; came to Newton 

in 1872, 63a, Sc, 2h, 2 hogs. 

— Julia (Gilmore), wife, b June 6, 

1855. 
— James A, son, b June 28, 1892. 
— Celia V, dau, b May 13, 1882. 
*Roche, James E, dairy farmer, 
Clarks Summit, R.D.2, Schultz- 
ville School; b in Ireland June 
22, 1842; came to Newton about 
1868. 90a, 22c, 4h. 
— Margaret (Walsh), wife, b Sept 

IS, 1865. 
— Martin C, son, b Oct 29, 1873. 



— Katherine E, dau, b April 14, 

ISSO. 
Koloson, Mrs. EHzabeth, Bald Mt, 
Newton School; b Feb 26, 1815 
in Sussex co, N J, and came to 
Newton Mar 31, 1839. She is 
living in part of A. S. Collum's 
house. Mrs. Roloson is the old- 
est inhabitant of Newton twp. 
••' Rosen krans, Amos, farmer. Ran- 
som, R.D.2, Lacoe School; b 
May 28, 1S50. 103 a (owned 
by Amos, Alice and Amanda), 
3c, 2h, 5 pigs, 2 yearlings. 
— Alice, sister, b Jan 28, 1864. 
— Amanda, sister, b Feb 16, 186 6. 
•'■Rosenkrans, Amzi, general far- 
mer, Clarks Summit, R.D.2, N. 
School; b June 10, 1S47 in Mil- 
waukie on the farm now owned 
by William Zeiss and came to 
Newton with his parents about 
three years later. Farm settled 
by a Mr. Bazzle in 1818. House 
built in 1825 by Adam Beemer. 
This is the oldest house in the 
township, that is now occu- 
pied by a family. In this house, 
Hosey Phillips, deputy U. S. 
Marshal, was shot and killed 
by Noah Smith in February, 
1865. This farm was purchased 
from Adam Beemer by Levi Ro- 
senkrans, grandfather of the 
present owner, in 18 47. Amzi 
Rosenkrans purchased farm 
about 187 8. This farm produc- 
ed the tallest and best quality 
timothy grass exhibited at the 
World's Columbian Exposition, 
held at Chicago in 189 3. This 
grass was 7 feet and 21/2 inches 
high. 42a, 2c, Ih, 5 pigs. 
— Earl B, son, b Sept 23, 1SS8. 
— Belva (Stark), daughter-in-law, 

b July 28, 1889. 
— Jennie M, dau, b Nov 21, 1890. 
Rosenkrans, Elmer A, living on 
farm with his father. Laten; b 
Dec 17, 1881. 
— Ethel (Singer), wife, b Oct 11, 

logo 

— Mable, dau, b Aug 7, 1906. 

— Willard, son, b Mar 11, 1910. 

Ro.senkrans, Judson, stone mason. 
Ransom, R.D.I, Newton School; 
b Mar, 1846; son of Levi Rosen- 
krans, who was one of the early 
settlers in Newton from New 
Jersey; married Emma Castlin 
for first wife, who died Aug 10, 
1901, aged 5 6 years; married 
Mrs. Susan Johnson April 29, 
1903. 3a. 

— Susan (Walters-Johnson), wife, 
b Oct 13, 1850. 

*Rosenkrans, Laten, farmer. Ran- 
som, R.D.2, Lacoe School; b in 
Ransom Feb 2, 1843; came to 
Newton with his father, Levi, in 
1848. 85a, 10c, 5h, 2 hogs. 

— Ruth Ann (Garrison), wife, b 
Aug 27, 1846. 

— Gusten, son, b Oct 12, 1869. 

*Ross, John W, farmer. Ransom, 
R.D.I, Schultzville School; b in 
Wyoming co, Feb 24, 18 37; son 
of James; came to New'n 1906. 



DIEECTORY OF NEWTON TOWNSHIP 



235 



2 0a, 2c, 21i, 2 hogs. Married 
Margaret Hallstead for first 
wife. 10 eliildren, 

■ — Lrdia A (Ruland), wife, b Dec 
29. 1S.55, 

— Nellie, dau, b April 3, 1887. 

— Lena, dau. b .June 12, 1891. 

— Robert R, .son, b Aug 6, 1895. 

*Koss, J. Sterling, farmer, Clarks 
Summit, R. D. No. 2, Fire Proof 
School: b Mar G, 1834; son of 
John Ross. 8 3a, 5c, 2 pigs. 

— Harriet (Casterline) , wife, b 
March 13, 1834. 

— .Joteph, son, b Sept 17, 18 68. 

*Roth, Thaddeus M, general far- 
mer, Bald Mt, Newton School; 
b in jyionroe co, Nov 15, 1867; 
came to Newton Mar 17, 189 0. 
103a, 12c. 4 h, 2 hogs; married 
Anna Kern Winter. 

— Anna M(Kern), wife, b Sept 21, 
1857. 

Winter, Claud G, stepson, b .Tune 
8, 1S86. 

— Leona E, stepdau, teacher, b 
Nov 21, 1889. 

*Rozelle, Giles B, farmer, Clarks 
Summit, R. D. 2, Schultzville 
School; b in Newton Aug 14, 
1853; son of Israel. 51a, which 
is part of the tract settled by 
Henry Beemer in 1818. House 
built by Israel Rozelle about 
1872. 

— Lizzie (Rifenbary), wife, b Oct 
5, 1850. 

— Celia S, dau, b April 18, 1892. 

Ilozelle, Lewis R, general farmer, 
Clarks Summit, R.D.2. Schultz- 
ville School; b March 2 3, 1878 
near Schultzville. where Giles B. 
Rozelle is now living. Farm 
owned by Amzi Rozelle estate, 
which is part of the tract set- 
tled by Henry Beemer in 1818. 
House built in 188 5 by Amzi 
Rozelle. 67a, 3c, 3h, 2 hogs. 

— Eva M (Clancy), wife, b Dec 30. 

1890. 
*Riiger, Robert L, carpenter, 
Clarks Summit, Newton School; 
b Sept 16, 18 60; house and lot. 
1 c, 1 h, 1 pig. 

— Elizabeth M (Beebe), wife, b 
May 16, 1864. 

— Lydia A. dau, b May 7, 1892. 

— Helen M, dau, b June 9, 1895. 
— Eleanor M, dau, b June 30. 
1903. 

— Alice, dau, b Oct 9, 1906. 

S 

*,Saxe, Elizabeth (Beck) Ransom, 
RDl, Newton School; b Oct 14, 
1859; widow of Irwin H Saxe. 
96a, 14c, 2h, 2 pigs. 

— A Boyd, son b Sept 23, 1891. 

— Harry I, son, b Oct 10, 1895. 

—Sara E, dau, b July 24, 1899. 

-Scutt, William H, general farmer. 
Clarks Summit, R.D.2, Newton 
School; b April 10, 1871 and 
came to Newton with his pa- 
rent when about seven years of 
age. Purchased farm in Febru- 
ary, 1912, of Benjamin Jacoby. 
Son of Wm H and Mary (Hus- 



man) Scutt. Married May 12, 
19 03 to Miss Esther, daughter 
of Allen and Rachel (Bewig- 
house) Crothamel of Scranton. 
61a, 2c, 2h, 2 pigs. 

— Esther, wife, b Dec 27, 1870. 

— Mary E, dau, b Mar 3, 1904. 

— William H, father, b Mar 7, '2 9. 

*SeaIey, William, farmer, Clarks 
Summit, R.D.2, Cosner School; 
b in England Nov, 1842; came 
to U. S. in 18 70 and to Newton 
in May, 1901. 110a, 5c, 2h, 2 
pigs. 

— Sylvia (Pipperel), wife, b April 
10, 1841. 

— George H, son, b Sept 16, 1870. 

Seamoii, Augustus, miner, Clarks 
Summit, R.D.2, Cosner School; 
b in Dunmore Sept 11, 18 48. 
Came to Newton in April, 1910. 
107a, owned by Ellas Smith est., 
2ho. 

— John, son, farmer, b Oct 6, 1872 

— William, son, farmer, b in 1883. 

.Seese, Wm S, farm laborer, Clarks 
Summit. R. D. 2, Fire Proof 
School: b in Monroe co Sept 16, 
186 — ; came to Newton in Apr. 
19 06. la, owned by Lester Van 
Cam pen. 

— Margaret A (Teel), wife, b Apr 
19, 1872. 

— Evelyn, dau, b Apr 2, 189 5. 

— Nettie, dau, b Dec 4, 1896. 

— Clarence, son, b July 17, 1899. 

— Margaret, dau, b Dec 29, 1901. 

— Ina. dau, b Aug 11, 1905. 

— Samuel, son, b Sept 28, 1907. 

— Wayne, son. b Oct 4, 1909. 

— Edgar son, b Nov 3 0, 1911. 

— Emaline, dau, b Nov 30, 1911. 

••■•Shelley, George M, general far- 
mer. Ransom, R. D. 1, Shook 
School; b .Ian 11, 185 5 on the 
farm where now living; son of 
William and Matilda (Corey) 
Shelley. Farm settled about 
1830 by William Brink (moving 
from farm now owned by Ar- 
thur Hollenback), who built a 
log-house. John Shelley, grand- 
father of the present owner, 
purchased farm about 1S40, and 
built a framed house near site 
of the i)resent residence. Wm 
Shellev purchased farm about 
18 5 0, built the barn about 1867, 
residence about 1870. Mr. Shel- 
ley was married Nov 15, 18 77 
to Miss Sarah M, daughter of 
Dr. H. S. Cooper of Newton. 
131a. 2c, 4h, 38 sheep, 21 hogs. 

— Sarah M, wife, b July 29, 1855. 

— Kenneth G, son, b Apr 11, 1891. 
•'Sherman, Geo, merchant, Schultz- 
ville, Schultzville School: b May 
17, 18 45: son of John C. 

— Mary E (Snyder), wife, b Nov 
22, 1852. 

— Louis, son, clerk, b June 4, ISSO 

— Myrtle (Drake), daughter-in. 

law, b Aug 20, 1884. 
— Leo, grandson, b Feb 10, 1908. 
Shoolv, ])avid A, general farmer. 
Ransom. R.D.I, Shook School; 
b Aug 31, 1866. 79a, owned by 
John Shook. 4c, 2h, 4 pigs. 



— Mary B (Smith), wife, b Feb 17, 

1867. 
— Leota B, dau, b Dec 9, 19 00. 
-.Shook, Jolm, implement dealer. 
Ransom, R.D.I, Shook School; 
b Dec 27, 1841. Farm worked 
by his son, David. 100a, lb. 
— Maria (Swartswood) , wife, b 

Jan 1, 1840. 
*Singer, Mrs. Julia A, Clarks Sum- 
mft, R.D.2, Newton School; b in 
Newton Oct 2 8, 1847. Daughter 
of David M. Smith and widow of 
Geo. W. Singer, who died Sept 
19, 19 09, aged 6 3 years. Pa- 
rents of five children, Lloyd, 
Cora, Bert, John and Ethel. 
*Slate, Frank A, general farmer, 
Clarks Summit, R. D. 2, Fire 
Proof School; b Oct 10, 187 3. 
135a, 18c, 6h. 
— Ida M (Dunlap), wife, b Jan 15, 

1874. 
— Naomi A, dau, b Oct 12, 1901. 
Madden, John, farm laborer, b Mar 

24, 1867. 
*Smith, Curtis P, farmer and lum- 
ber dealer, Clarks Summit, R. 
D.2, Newton School; b in New- 
ton July 23, 186 3. Grandson of 
Blias. the pioneer settler. House 
built in 1905: farm settled in 
1816 by Elias Smith. 10 2a, 3h. 
— Margaret (Jones), wife, b Sept 

24, 1867. 
— Ralph M, son, b Sept 2, 1898. 
Smith, David, farmer. Bald Mount, 
Newton School; b in Newton 
Oct 19, 1841. Son of Blias 
Smith, who came to Newton 
from New Jersey, and a nephew 
of Elias, the pioneer settler. 
Rents from Albert Klines of 
Scranton. 2 0a, lb. 
— Thena (Garrison), wife, b Nov 

3, 1844. 
*Smitli, Elias J. farmer, Clarks 
Summit, R.D.2, Cosner School; 
son of Blias A: b Sept 17, 1875. 
42a, Ih. 
— Carrie (Roesler), wife, b March 

7, 1876. 
—John, son, b Sept 16, 1894. 
— Freda A, dau, b Dec 3, 1897. 
—Elias J, son, b Feb 3, 1899. 
— Andrew, son, b Nov 18, 1901. 
— Daniel, son, b Oct 14, 1905. 
*Smith, Jolm B, painter. Bald Mt 
Newton School; b in Falls twp 
April 2 0, 1874; son of Henry. 
House and lot. 
— Mrs Frederica, mother, b Dec 7, 

1836. 
Smith, Marcus J, c a r p en t e r , 
Schultzville, Schultzville School : 
son of Wm N Smith; b Aug 2 2, 
1878. 65a, owned by William N 
Smith. 
— Rebecca M (Westcott), wife, b 

June 23, 1881. 

— Alverda M, dau, b Sept 24, 1899 

— William F. son. b Apr 27, 19 02 

-■Smith, Wm N, an old soldier. 

Schultzville, Schultzville School : 

son of Madison Smith, and 

grandson of Elias Smith, one 

of early settlers of Newton: b 

Mar 6, 1844, Married Maggie 



2?.G 



DIRECTORY OF NEWTOiN TOWNSHIP 



Neary in 1867, who died May 7, 
1SS7. G5a. Mr. Smith also 
has a home at 9 67 Providence 
Road, Scranton, where he lives 
part of the time. 

'■■Smith, Will H, farmer and fruit 
grower, Clarks Summit, Cosner 
School; son of Elias A; b in 
Newton Aug 9, 1S69. 123a. 

— Eva (Cooper), wife, b Dec 2, 
1879. 

— Victor P, son. b July 8, 1898. 

— Helen B, dau, b Feb 10, 1902. 

— Anna M, dau, b .July 13, 1903. 

— William, son, b Feb 4, 1905. 

— Raymond, son, b July 17, 19 06. 

Snover, Edwin, farmer, Ransom, 
R.D.I Shook School: b in New- 
ton May 15, 1869; son of Geo S. 
Living on and working John 
Shock's farm. 4c, 3h. 

— C. Lizzie (Shook), wife, b Oct 
14, 1871. 

— Beatrice M, dau. b Sept 20, 1907 

Snovei', John S, farm laborer, 
working for C S Richards, Ran- 
som, R.D.I, Shook School; son 
of George Snover, Living in C 
S Richards tenant house. 

— Jennie (Weir), wife, b Jan 6, 
1885. 

— Ruth, dau, b Nov 3, 1901. 

— Dorothy H, dau, b Aug 23, 1906 

Spencer, Miles, laborer, Clarks 
Summit, Sehultzville School; b 
July 14, 1856. 

— Nancy, mother, b Nov 27, 1829. 

*Spencer, AVni H, general farmer, 
Sehultzville, Sehultzville School ; 
b in Wyoming co Feb 19, 1864; 
son of Wm Spencer, Sr. 130a, 
26c, 4h; came to New in 1900. 

— Bridget (Kelly), wife, b 1864. 

— Robert J, son, b June 13, 1893. 

— Harry S, son, b Aug 11, 1895. 

— Leo, son, b Aug 12, 1897. 

— Mary E, dau, b July 21, 1908. 

Stevens, Arthur C, farm laborer, 
working for Geo W Beemer, 
Clarks Summit, R.D.2, Sehultz- 
ville School; son of Benj.; b in 
.Jenningsville, Mar 18, 1884; 
came to Newton in May, 1908. 

— Esther (Mead), wife, b Nov 13, 
1886. 

— Clarence, son, b Mar 10, 1908. 
'■■Siininierhill, Henry, truck far, 
Clarks Summit, R.D.2, Cosner 
School; b in England Dec 19, 
185 4. Came to Newton in 1888 
from Scranton. Farm settled 
about 1835 by Jacob C. Lesh. 
37a, Ic, 3h, 3 mules. 

— Bertha (Roth), wife, b Dec 6, 
1852. 

— Ben.iamin G, son, b Nov 11, 
1882. 

— William J, son, b Oct 12, 1884. 

— Gertrude (Harris), wife of Wil- 
liam J, b Feb 14, 1888. 

Swart/,, Elmer G, truck and dairy 
farmer, Clarks Summit, R.D.2, 
Cosner School; b in Old Forge 
July 13, 1862; came to Newton 
in April, 1910. Farm settled 
about 1812 by Parley VonCleve- 
land. 7 6a, owned Ijy Anthony 
McArthur of Scranton, Sc, 3h. 



— Edith (Shaw), wife, b Feb 21, 
1863. 

— Jasper, son, b Aug 9, 1889. 

— Lelan, son, b Feb 1, 1897. 

— Ivan, son, b July 3, 1900. 

— Abram, son, b Nov 5, 19 05. 

— William, son, b Feb 5, 1911. 

Sweet, Wm, farm laborer, Bald 
Mount, Lacoe School; b in Eng- 
land April 2 3, 1878; came to 
Newton Feb 27, 1909. working 
for Wm. J. Biesecker, 

— Elizabeth (Rice), wife, b June 
5. 1876. 

— Hubert, son, b Sept 15, 1897. 

— Gertrude M, dau, b Feb 10, '02. 

— Margaret A, dau, b July 29,'06. 

T 

*Thonipson, Adam, laborer. Bald 
Mount, Newton School; b Jan 
14, 1840 on the farm now own- 
ed by his son, Leslie. House 
built in 185 6 by Mrs. Jane 
Thompson. la. 

''■Thompson, F. Leslie, dairy and 
truck farmer, Sehultzville, 
Sehultzville School; b Mar 31, 
1866 on farm where now living. 
Son of Adam and Kate (Smith) 
Thompson. Farm cleared by 
Andrew Thompson, grandfather 
of present owner, which origin- 
ally included the farm now own- 
ed "by William N Smith. The 
first log-house was built in 
1825, about twenty-five rods in 
the field above the present 
house where the road ran at 
that time. In 18 44 a large 

framed house was erected by 
Andrew Thompson across the 
road from the present residence. 
This was the first framed house 
between Buttermilk Falls and 
Abington (now Glenburn). Af- 
ter the death of Andrew Thomp- 
son, the farm was owned by 
his son, Adam. It was purchas- 
ed by the present owner in 1890 
who erected the present resi- 
dence in 1910 and the barn in 
1907. 167a, 25c, 5h. 

— Agnes B (White), wife, b Sept 
8, 1869. 

— Maurice H, son, b Aug 15, 1893. 

— Robert J, son, b Mar 14, 1897. , 

Thompson, Georsje E, farm labor, 
er, Sehultzville; b Sept 11, 18 45 
in New Milford and came to 
Newton about 1902. Son of Jas. 
and Almira (Betts) Thomjison. 

Thompson, Jesse H, chief engineer 
at Hillside Home, Clarks Sum- 
mit, Fire Proof School; b March 
2 8, 1874 in Newton. Son of 
Alva and Harriet (Winters) 
Thompson. Married June 17, 
1903 to Miss Henrietta, daugh- 
ter of William and Elizabeth 
(Rupp) Scherer of Mountain 
Valley. Mr. Thompson has been 
employed at the Hillside Home 
since 1891. House built by 
Abraham Polhamus about 1858, 
and is now owned by Hillside 
Home. 

— Henrietta, wife, b Feb 20, 1871. 



— Harold L, son, b Feb 21, 1906. 

— Anette, dau, b April 22, 1908. 

*Thonii)son, John 1, truck farmer, 
Ransom. RD2, Newton School; 
b in the house where he now 
lives July 22, 1880. Son of 
William E. 50a, 2c, 2h, 2 hogs. 

— Blanche (Lacoe), wife, b April 
2 S 1885 

— J Ivan, son, b Dec 10, 1908. 

— Clara M, dau, b May 18, 1910. 

*Thomp.son, Wm E, farmer. Ran- 
som, R.D.2, Newton School; b 
in Newton. Son of John, and 
grandson of Adam, one of the 
pioneer settlers. 12 6a. 

— Lizzie (Klipple), wife. 



*Van Buskirk, Christopher, dealer. 
Bald Mount, Newton School ; b 
in Forty Fort Mar 1, 1831. 
Came to Newton in 1854. Son 
of Christopher, Sr. 38a, 2c, Ih. 

— Asenath (Williams), wife, b 
May 2, 1835. 

VaiiBnskirk, Oscai', dealer in wag- 
ons and machinery, Bald Mount, 
Newton School; b in Newton 
June 3, 1859. Living in house 
with his father, Christopher. 

— Anna J (Fowler), wife, b Dee 8, 
1866. 

*Vanderbnro, Mrs Katharine 
(Noone), Clarks Summit, R.D.2, 
Sehultzville School; b in Scran- 
ton Oct 10, 1883; came to New- 
ton in 1902; married Eugene 
McCarthy June 2 9, 1904, who 
died Mar 31, 1908. Married 
Harry Vanderburg May 4, 1909, 
who died Nov 20, 1910. 15a, 
le, 1 pig. 

— Eugene J, son, b April 11, 1905. 

— J Raymond, son, b May 7, 1906. 

— Lester L, son, b June 23, 1910. 

*Vanderburg, Mrs. Phebe E, dress- 
maker. Bald Mount. Newton 
School, b Feb 17, 1844. House 
and lot. 

Fuller, Cora H, dau, b Nov S, 1870 

VanCampen, Anson H, general far- 
mer, Clarks Summit, R.D.2, 
Fire Proof School; b in Falls 
township Dec 2 7, 1865. Farm 
owned by his brother, Lester 
VanCampen, 12 0a, 3h. 

— Ida (Johnson), wife, b Mar 2, 

1 S R fi 

— Mabel, dau, b Mar 29, 1898. 

— Orla B, dau, Feb 4, 1903. 

VanPleet, Hayden, farmer, Ran- 
som. R.D.2, Newton School; b in 
Fleetville, June 8, 1878, and 
came to Newton in April, 1910. 
Living with his father-in-law, 
Wm. E. Thompson. 

— Katherine (Thompson), wife, b 
Mar 16, 1877. 

— Olin, son, b Jan 12, 1911. 

*YanSickle, Solomon, mail carrier. 
Bald Mt, Newton School; son of 
James; b May 13, 1844. 2 5a, 
Ic, Ih. 

— Ellen J (Vosburg), wife, b June 

— Mary M, dau, b July 16, 1867. 

*Vavighn, Horton B, general far- 
mer, Ransom, R.D.I, Shook 



DIRECTORY OF NEWTO,N TOWNSIilP 



237 



School; b Apr 17, 1863. 108a, 
12c, 2 mules, 3 hogs, 21 sheep. 

— Elizabeth (Holmes), wife, b 
May 18, 1856. 

— Claud B, son, b .June 28, 1891. 

— Ella W, dau, b May 2, 1897. 

*\'eety, Andrew, dairy and truck 
farmer. Ransom, R.D.I, Port 
Royal School; came to Newton 
when 3 years old; b Oct 20, 'SO. 
8 0a, 14c, 8h, 3 pigs. 

— Anna K (Eckle), wife, b Sept 
28, 1882. 

— Bessie M, dau. Sept 12, 1904, 

— Laura A, dau, b Sept 20, 1906. 

— Andrew P, son, b Mar 12, 1909. 

— William, brother, laborer, b Mar 
4, 1885. 

*\'eety, Thomas, farmer, Clarks 
Summit, R.D.2, Cosner School; 
b in Ireland July 12, 1839; 
came to U S in 18 67, and to 
Newton about 1880 from Scran- 
ton, where he worked in the 
mines. Married Bessie Smith 
for first wife, who died April 19, 
1896, to whom seven children 
were born. 21a, Ic, Ih. 

— Sarah (Dudley), wife, b Mar 5, 
1842. 

— Catherine, dau. b May 7, 1889. 

■'■Vosbui'g, Peter P, truck farmer, 
Clarks Summit, R.D.2, Fire 
Proof School; b in Luzerne co, 
Aug 31, 1873; came to Newton 
in 1897. 51a, 3c, 3 h. 

— Maye (Kircher), wife, b Oct 7, 
1874. 

— Alta Mae, dau, b Aug 21, 1909. 

Kircher, Susan, mother-in-law, b 
.Jan 29, 1847. 

.Jones, Chas W, b Jan 31, 188 8. 

"Vosburg, Israel, farmer. Bald Mt, 
Newton School; b in Hyde Pk, 
May, 1841; came to Newton 
about 1889. 22a, Ic, 2h. 

— Mary (Bates), wife, b Mar 10, 
1855. 

— Israel, Jr, son, b Nov 1, 1890. 

W 

■'Wall, Joseph A, farmer, Schultz. 
ville, Schultzville School; b Nov 
8, 1863; son of Joseph B; came 
to Newton April, 1908. 125a, 
7c 2 h, 17 pigs. 

— Elizabeth (Cornell), wife, b Apr 
13, 1862. 

— Helen E, dau, b Sept 1, 1893. 

— Herald H, son, b Jan 30, 1897. 

■■•Walter, Samuel, farmer. Ransom, 
R.D.2, Lacoe School; b in New- 
ton March 11, 1854. Son of 
John and grandson of Henry, 
who settled in Newton about 
1832. 30a, 3c, 2h, 4 hogs. 

— Elizabeth (Scherer), wife, b 
Feb 5, 1857. 

— William, son, carpenter, b Oct 
28, 1876. 

— Arthur, son, farm laborer, b 
March 28, 1878. 

— Wesley, son, b May 10, 1S88. 

— Malvern, son, b Aug 22, 189L 

— Bert, son, b Feb 26, 1S93. 

— Jennie May, dau, b May 14, 
1895. 



*Wartl, Ernest R, truck farmer. 
Ransom, R.D.2, Newton School; 
b in Old Forge Aug 4, 18 69 and 
came to Newton in 1873. Son 
of John J. 48a, Ic, 2h. 

— Anna (VanBuskirk), wife, b 
Aug 24, 1873. 

— Merle E, son, b July 16, 1903. 

— Leah, dau, b April 18, 1911. 

— Florence, sister. 

*Ward, John E, general farmer, 
Ransom, R.D.2, Newton School; 
b in Tunkhannock Aug 12, 1857 
and came to Newton in April, 
1873. Son of John J. 72a, 2c, 
2h, 4 hogs. 

— Minnie (LaRue), wife, b Feb 17, 
1868, 

— John D, son, b June 18, 189 5. 

— Charlie E, son, b May 3. 19 03. 

*Ware, Jesse, farmer, Clarks Sum- 
mit, R.D.2, Cosner School; b in 
England Feb 28, 1871. 5 0a, 
2c. 2h. 

— Alice (Rice), wife, b July 19, 
1871. 

— Floyd J, son, b June 28, 19 03. 

— Leta, dau, b Dec 6, 1910. 

Weichel, Chas P, farm laborer. 
Ransom, R.D.I; b in Germany, 
Sept 2 0, 1864 and came to this 
country in 1871 and to Newton 
in July, 19 08. Working since 
July, 1908, for Galusha A Coon. 

*White, James M, truck and berry 
grower, Clarks Summit, R.D.2, 
Fire Proof School; b near Moo- 
sic, April 27, 1867; came to 
Newton in April, 1873. 149a, 
16c, 3h. 

— Edith P (Smith), wife, b Sept 9, 
1863. 

— J VanNoy, son, b Feb 3, 1895. 

•'Williams, Horace, general far- 
mer. Ransom, R. D. 2, Lacoe 
School; b in Ransom Feb 22, 
1846; came to' Newton in 187 4. 
Son of James Williams, one of 
the pioneer settlers. 5 4a, Ic. 

— Mallie (Milligan), wife, b Aug 
19, 1849. 

■•'Whitlock, Gould, fruit grower. 
Bald Mount, Port Royal School; 
b Mar 27, 1839 In Luzerne co; 
came to Newton about 1878, 
Son of Enoch and Mary ( Sick- 
ler) Whitlock. Married in May, 
1869 to Miss Samantha, daugh- 
ter of Horace and Sarah Collum 
of Newton, who died July 2 7, 
189 3. House built in 189 by 
present owner. Mr. Whitlock 
has been Justice of the Peace in 
Newton since 1879. 40a, 2c, 
2h, 2 hogs. 

— Frank A, son, school teacher, b 
Sept 8, 1869. 

-AVinston, Sarah, farmer. Ransom, 
R.D.I, Shook School; b in Wales 
Mar 2 0, 1857 and came to this 
country when about four years 
old, and purchased the farm in 
Newton in April, 1900, where 
she has lived part of the time 
since. Her husband was Tho- 
mas J. Winston, who died Nov 
21, 1906. 74a, Ic, Ih. 

— Arthur M, son, b Sept 2, 1896. 



Winters, Daniel, blacksmith, 
Clarks Summit, Fire Proof 
School; b Dec 15, 1880 in MIL 
waukie and came to Hillside 
Home about 19 02, where he is 
employed as blacksmith. Son 
of Manley and Minnie (Ace) 
Winters. Married Sept 18, 1907 
to Miss Belle, daughter of Solo- 
mon and Amelda (Decker) 
Avery ot Mill City. House 
owned and built by Hillside 
Home about 189 7. 

— Belle, wife, b Feb 2 4, 1886. 

— Harold W, son, b Aug 13, 1908. 

— Gwendolin A, dau, b Sept 24, '10 

-■■Winter, Peter C, farmer. Bald 
Mount, Newton School; b on the 
farm where he is now living 
Feb 9, 1863. Son of Merritt. 
90a, 3c, 3h. 

— Georgia A (Fulkerson), wife, b 
June 22, 1870. 

Winters, Philip B, farm laborer. 
Ransom, R.D.I, Shook School; 
b Aug 26, 1870. Ic. 

^Bessie M (Drake), wife, b Mar 
27, 1883. 

— Alma, dau, b Dec 18. 19 05. 

— Zida, dau, b April 27, 1907. 

— Helen, dau, b Aug 13, 19 08. 

Winter, We.sley A, blacksmith, 
Schultzville, Schultzville School ; 
b in Milwaukie Jan 7, 1875. 
Came to Newton July 17, 1900. 
Son of Manley. House and lot 
and shop. 

— Mary (Fahs), wife, b Nov 3, 
1877. 

— Gertrude, dau, b Mar 2 0, 19 01. 

— Stella, dau, b Nov 25. 1902. 

— Dorothy, dau, b Dec 28, 1907. 

Wolcott, R^v Wallace C, minister. 
Bald Mount, Newton School; b 
May 19, 1875 in Delphi, N Y, 
and came to Newton in April. 
1912. Pastor of Bald Mount 
charge of the Methodist Episco- 
pal church, preaching at Bald 
Mount, Schultzville and Milwau- 
kie. Ih. 

— Anna B (Snyder), wife, b May 
19, 1875. 

— Harold, son, b Mar 21, 1907. 

— Mildred, dau, b April 14, 1911. 

Wood, Otis, farm laborer, Schultz- 
ville, Schultzville School; b Feb 
2 5, 1872 in Glenwood, Susque- 
hanna CO. Son of George and 
Lucinda (Ayers) Wood. House 
owned by Leslie Thompson. Mr. 
Wood came to Newton with his 
parents when a small boy. 



Young, Wm, dairy and truck far- 
mer, Schultzville, Schultzville 
School; b in England March 16, 
1877, and came to U S about 
1881, and to Newton April 1, 
1910. Rents farm of Frank 
Dickson of Falls township. 98a, 
10c, 3h. 

— Isabelle (Ross), wife, b June 14. 
1881. 

— Lucy, dau, b Mar 2 4, 1902. 

— Martha, dau, b Dec 5, 1908. 

— Baby, dau, b Mar 23, 1911.- 



DIRECTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



EXPLANATION — The head of the family is printed in boldface type, which is followed with , 
his postofflce address, school district in which he lives, a brief history of the farm or house, and the 
name and date of birth of each member of the family, who are living at home. An asterisk (*) 
preceding head of the family indicates that the farm or property is owned by either the husband or 
wife, and not rented. 

The following abbreviations are used: a, acres; abt, about; b, born; bvo, brother; c, cow; car, 
carpenter; con, contractor; d, died; dai, dairy; dau, daughter; far, farmer; gen, general; h, horse; 
lab, laborer; nuu-, married; pres, present; pnr, purchased; set, settled; sis, sister; tr, truck; Mil, 
Milwaukie; Mt Dew, Mount Dewey; Mt Val, Mountain Valley; R, Ransom; R Val, Ransom Valley; 
Sc, school. 



A 

*Ace, Edward E, truck farmer. 
Ransom, R2, Mt Val Sc; b Jan 
31, 1869 on the farm where now 
living. Farm settled and first 
house built in IS 40 by Jacob 
Ace, grandfather of Edward B. 
Moses Ace rebuilt the house in 
IS 8 6. Purchased by present 
owner Feb 14, 19 08, which then 
contained 100 a, who sold 29a 
to Chas Blackwell. 71a, 6e, 5h, 
2hogs. 

— Mary E, wife, b June 27, 1871. 

— Moses E, son, b July 27, 1893. 

— Maggie A, dau, b Sept 28, 1897. 

— Wilda J, dau, b Jan 12, 1900. 

— Sarah I, dau, b Oct 3, 1905. 

— Abram W, son, b Mar 9, 19 08. 

Ace, Elwood Laverne, general 
farmer, working his father's 
farm on shares. b in house 
where now living, June 20,1880. 
Son of George W. Ace. Married 
Mar 13, 1907 to Miss Lizzie L, 
daughter of Edward and Eliza- 
beth (Davis) Davis of Taylor. 

— Lizzie L, wife, b Feb. 6, 1882. 

— George E, son, b Dec 5, 1907. 

— Pearl E, dau, b Oct IS, 1910. 

*Ace, George W, general farmer. 
Ransom, R2, Mt Val Sc; b Dec 
6, 1841 in R twp in the house 
where Edward Ace now lives. 
Farm settled about 18 40 by Ja- 
cob Ace. House built about 
18 71 by the present owner. 5 4a, 
2c, 3h, 8 hogs. 

— Susanna (Ace), b Nov. 10,1841. 

••■Ace, Geo C, car repairer for Le- 
high Valley R R at the Goxton 
yard. Ransom, R Sc; b Mar 18, 
1868 in Milwaukie; son of Solo- 
mon and Catherine (Prentzman) 
Ace; married July 4, 1884 to 
Miss Etta, dau of John and Ku- 
tura (Milligan) Weiss of Pitts- 
ton. House built about 1876 by 
Fred Sandway. 

— Etta A, wife, b Oct 7, 1868. 

— Helen G, dau, b April 11, 1894. 

B 

Baumgartner, Walter E. station agt 
for L V R R at Ransom, R Sc; 
b Oct 2 0, 189 2 in Mildred, Sul- 
livan co; came to R May 2 6, '10. 
Son of Edwin S and Matilda 
(Walters) Baumgartner, Board- 
ing with H G Burgess. 

*Bedell, Abrani, retired far. Ran- 
som, R2, Mil Sc; b April 28, 
18 44 in Milwaukie. Son of Za- 



chariah. Married April 13, 1S64 
to Miss Ellen A Swartz, dau of 
Henry and Malissa (Miller) 
Swartz of New twp. Mr. Bedell 
moved to his present home in 
April, 1903, and built house the 
same winter and spring. Mr. 
and Mrs. Bedell have nine chil- 
dren living: Carrie. Gertie, Da- 
vid, Kate, Arthur, Brice, Addle, 
Temple, Robert. Two, Dolly and 
Eva, died when young. 2 1/2 a. 

—Malissa (Miller), b Mar 8, '48. 

Bedell, David H, rural mail car- 
rier, Ransom, R2, R Val Sc; b 
Sept 9, 1872 in Milwaukie; farm 
settled about 1S70 by John 
Shorber, who built house, which 
was enlarged by M Bowin of 
Pittston, the present owner. Mr, 
Bedell is mail carrier on Ru- 
ral Route No 2, starting from 
Ransom, which was established 
Mar 16, 1907. He was the first 
carrier on this route. 70a, 3c, 
4h, 5 hogs. 

— Mary C, wife, b Nov 21, 1873. 

— Walter A, son, b Feb 5, 1894. 

■■■Bedell, Jacob, retired far. Ran- 
som, R2, Mil Sc; b Mar 6, 1838 
in Ransom twp, where he has 
always lived except three years 
when in Michigan. Son of Za- 
cheriah and Margaret (Drake) 
Bedell. Married Feb 23, 1868 
to Miss Ellen, dau of William 
and Anna (Smith) Ayers of 
Bald Mt. House built about 
1850. 3 children born, 2 died 
in infancy and Zacheriah died 
when 22 yrs of age. Ih. 

— Ellen (Ayers), b Feb. 18, 1837. 

■■Bedell, Beter, farmer. Ransom, 
R2, Mil Sc; b in R Dec 7, 1854 
and was married April 19, 1874 
to Miss Emma Rader who died 
May 31, 19 01. Son of Zachariah 
60a, 2c, 2h. 

— John, son, b Oct 22, 1888. 

— Hazel, dau, b Aug 23, 1896. 

— Howard, son, b April 25, 1898. 

'■■Bedell, Peter, Jr, rural mail car- 
rier on route No 1 from Ran- 
som, R Sc; b Sept 14, 1876 in 
Milwaukie. Son of Peter. Mar- 
ried Mar 2 5, 19 03 to Miss Eva, 
dau of Chas Musselman. Mr, 
Bedell was the first rural mail 
carrier in the twp, commencing 
Feb 1, 1907. 5a, Ic, Ih, 2 hogs. 

— Eva (Musselman), b Dec 22, '80. 

— Grace, dau, b Jan 13, 1904. 

— Ralph, son, b Nov 18, 1906. 



— Charles, son, b Sept 19, 1907. 

— Margaret, dau, b Jan 8, 1910. 

'SBehlke, Theo G, lab, 2767 Frink 
st, Scranton, Mt Dew Sc; b Sept 
7, 1854 in Germany, and came 
to this country in 1873; came to 
Ransom to his present home. 
May 17, 1892. House built by 
Andrew Butterworth abt 1889, 
who sold to present owner in 
May, 1S92 for $1,000.00. Mr. 
Behlke remodeled and enlarged 
house in fall of 1903. 6a, 2c, 4 
hogs. 

— Catherine I, wife, b Nov30,1860 

— Louise G, dau, tailoress, b Feb 

1, 1885. 

— Herman E, son, carpenter, b 
May 4, 1SS7. 

— Jacob A, son, plasterer, b July 
5, 1889. 

— Elizabeth M, dau, seamstress, b 
July 10, 1891. 

— Christine C, dau, Aug 6, 1893. 

— William G, son, tiler, b Dec 18, 
1896. 

Bender, Robert, mine lab, Scran- 
ton, care Continental Mine of- 
fice, Mt Dew Sc; b Jan 23, 1872 
in Ohio and came to Ransom abt 
1901; property belongs to Mrs. 
Bender's mother, Mrs. Rose Pin- 
nock of Taylor. 5a. 

— Mercie S, wife, b Dec 1, 188 2. 

— Robert R, son, b Jan 6, 1909. 

*Beyrent, John, truck and dairy 
far. Ransom, R2, Mil Sc; b in, 
Alsace-Loraine, Germany, May 
30, IS 65; came to this country 
in 1880 and to R in April, 1S90. 
House built in 1854 by Jacob 
Drake. Set in 1S25 by Joseph 
LeTier. 70a, 12c, 4h. 

— M Elizabeth (Finkler), b Aug 
18, 1867. 

— Nicholas J, son, b Dec 9, 1890. 

— John, son b Nov 14, 1892. 

— Mary E, son, b Oct 5, 1S94. 

— Charles, son, b Aug 19, 1898. 

— Anna, dau, b Sept 16, 1902. 

— August, son b Sept 9, 1905. 

— .Joseph A, son, b Nov 29. 19 08. 

''Blackwell, Charles W, truck and 
dairy farmer. Ransom, R2, Mt 
Val Sc; b Nov 22, 1853 on farm 
where now living. Son of Ma- 
thias, who came from New Jer- 
sey and settled on the farm in 
1842, which he purchased April 

2, 1S51 of Samuel Bell, contain, 
ing 154 acres, for ,|450.00. A 
log house was erected by Fred- 
erick Stine before 1838, and in 



DIRECTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



239 



18 42 Mathias Blackwell built a 
log house across the road from 
the present house, near where 
the watering trough now stands. 
A plank house was built where 
the present house stands in 
1S53 by Mathias Blackwell, 
which was torn down and an 
eight-room residence erected in 

19 09 by the present owner. 155 
acres, 10c, 5 h, 3 hogs. 

— Christina, wife, b Dec 5, 1S5S. 

— Abram, son, b Feb 23, 1882. 

— Josephine, dau. b Feb 19, 1884. 

— William, son, b Sept 13, 1888. 

— Mary, dau, b .July 1, 1891. 

IJIaokxvell, Elniei- W, carpenter. 
Ransom, R2, Mt Val Sc; b June 
19. 1884 in the house where 
Adam B. Miller is living. Liv- 
ing in part of Mrs Susanna Mo- 
sier"s house. 1 horse. 

— Louise, wife, b July 13, 18 86. 

— Helen L, dau, b Mar 16, 1910. 

Blackwell, John M, farm laborer, 
Ransom, R 2, Mil Sc; b Mar 2 0, 
1857 near Pittston, and came to 
Ransom with his parents, about 
1868. House and lot owned by 
Mrs. Susannah Mosier. House 
built abt 1881 by Jacob Court- 
right. 1 acre. 

— Ellen N, wife, b Nov 30. 1862. 

— Layton, son, b Oct 4, 1888. 

— Alice, dau, b Dee 22, 1890. 

— John C, son, b Oct 23, 1892. 

— Harry, son. b Jan 13, 1895. 

— Delia M, dau, b Jan 9, 1897. 

Blackwell, Mrs. Margaret,Ransom, 
R2, Mt Val Sc; b in Monroe co. 
Sept 2 4, 1832; came to Newton 
in 18 39, and two years later to 
R. Dau of Jacob Ace. Married 
Dec 2 5, 185 2 to Wm Blackwell. 
Living with her son-in-law, Pe- 
ter S Metzgar. 

•■■Blislviak, Mrs. Anna, Scranton, 
care Continental Mine Office, Mt. 
Dew Sc; b in 1861 in Austria 
and came to this country in 
188 3 and purchased present 
home about 1895. 

— Anna, dau, b Feb, 1895. 

— John, son. b Nov, 1902. 

— Michael, son b Oct, 189 2. 

*Bonetto, William T, farmer, Ran- 
som, R2, Mil Sc; b in England 
Sept 26, 18 63 and came to this 
country with his parents in 
1866, and to Ransom April 1, 
1903, when he purchased farm 
of Ignatz Bosker. Farm settled 
by Ethan Scott about 1840. 
Married Jan 6, 1897 to Miss 
Mary, dau of John and Elizabeth 
Pearce. 101a, 2c, 2 mules, 2 
pigs. 

— Mary, wife, b May 2 9, 1866. 

— William T, son, b July 12, 1899. 

— Beatrice M, dau, b Nov 2 8, 1900. 

— Bessie E, dau, b June 12, 19 03. 

— Margaret J, dau, b Sept 22,1905 

*I5owen, William, mine lab, 2767 
Frink st, Scranton, Mt Dew Sc; 
b Nov 13. 185 7 in S Wales, and 
came to this country abt March 
2 0, 1887 and purchased present 
home in 1892 from Wm, P. Can- 



terbury, who built a two-room 
house a short time before. Mr. 
Bowen erected residence about 
1902. 2a, Ic. Ih, 1 hog, 12 pigs. 

— Letitia, wife, b Mar 10, 1855. 

— Margaret, dau, b Jan 6, 1885. 

— Ada, dau, b July 8, 1889. 

— Charles, son, b Nov 12, 1890. 

— Polly, dau, b June 9, 1892. 

— Letitia, dau, June 23, 1894. 

— Agnes, dau, b Aug 13, 1895. 

— Susan, dau. b Aug 11, 1896. 

— Winifred, dau, b Apr 25, 1898. 

— Annie, dau, b Aug 1, 1899. 

*Brezee, Mrs, Sarah J, Ransom, 
R2, Mt Val Sc; b Aug 12, 1853 
in Pittston, and came to Ran- 
som about 18 68. Dau of Wm 
and Margaret (Ace) Blackwell. 
Married May 13,1871 to Joseph, 
son of Tobias and Mary (Black- 
well) Brezee, who died Feb 13, 
1906. Twelve children, eight of 
whom are living (See Edward 
Ace). House built about 1886 
by Joseph Brezee. 3 acres. 

— William A, son carpenter, born 
Sept 21, 1884. 

— Bertha B. dau, b July 11, 1891. 

— Pearl E, dau, b Oct 22, 1893. 

* Burgess, Henderson G, truck far 
and road sup, Ransom, R Sc; b 
Aug 3, 186 7 in Porkston, and 
came to Ransom in Mar, 1899. 
Son of Elmer and Lena (Bur- 
gess) Burgess of Forkston. 
Married Sept 13. 1888 to Miss 
Maud, dau of Eber and Saman- 
tha (Garey) Inmau of Jennings- 
ville. House built by Samuel 
Gardner in 187 8. Mr. Burgess 
was elected road supervisor in 
Feb. 1908. 75a, 4c, 3h,2 mules, 
3 hogs. 

— Maud, wife, b Nov 25, 1868. 

— Beryl H, son, b Mar 29, 1891. 

•■'Buscli, Arnold, miner,914 Key^r 
Ave, Scranton, Mt Dew Sc; b 
May 23, 1865 in Austria and 
came to this country in August, 
19 01, and came to Ransom in 
1902 and purchased present 
home Aug 8, 1904 from Valen- 
tine Erbauch, who built house 
in 1899. Married Apr 21, 1890 
to Miss Pauline Starobetzky. 

— Pauline, wife b Aug 31, 1865. 

—Anna, dau, b Feb 14, 1891. 

—Elsie, dau, b Oct 20, 1892. 

— Paul, son, b June 23, 1900. 

C 

'■■Canterbury, Wm F, miner, 112 
S Keyser ave, Scranton, Mt Dew 
Sc; b Oct 21, 1867 in Scranton 
and came to Ransom abt 18 96. 
Lot purchased Oct 2 7,18 88 from 
Thomas Edwards by Wm. Gil- 
bert for ,$50.00, who built house 
same fall. Mr. Canterbury, the 
jiresent owner, purchased the 
property Nov IS, 1896 for $800, 
and enlarged the house about 
1899. Mr. Canterbury purchas- 
ed two acres from Richard 
Strauch, Sept 24, 1897 for ,$300. 
1 cow, 1 horse. 

— Mary Ann, wife, b Jan 13, 1872. 



— William A, son b Mar 27, 1891. 

— Ruth, dau, b Aug 27, 1897. 

— Edith M, dau, b Nov 1, 1897. 

— Verna, dau, b June 25, 1900. 

— George E, son, b June 5, 19 02. 

— Helen, dau, b Nov 7, 19 04. 

— Anna May, dau, b Feb 4, 1907. 

— Ralph, son, b Feb 2, 1910. 

— Claude, son, b Mar 24, 1912. 

— Clayton, son, b Mar 24, 1912. 

•■■Coolbaugli, Johnson B, truck and 
dairy farmer. Ransom, R2, Mt 
Val Sc; b Sept 22, 1854 on a 
farm where Duryea is now lo- 
cated, and came to Ransom in 
18 65, with his parents, who set- 
tled on the farm where he is 
now living, and built part of the 
house now standing about six 
years earlier, About 1902 the 
present owner remodeled and 
enlarged the house. 

— Rosa, wife, b Aug 4, 1861. 

— Elmer, son, b Nov. 2 4, 1882. 

— Archie, son, b June 10, 1887. 

— William W, son, b Sept 10, 1889 

— Nelson J, son, b Aug 21, 1899, 

•■■Coon, Frank H, gen far. Ransom, 
R2, Mt Val Sc; b Mar 16, 1873 
where now living. Farm settl- 
ed about 1840 by Alfred Aten. 
who built a log-house. John 
Coon pur farm in 186 6, who sold 
to his brother, Geo C Coon, Apr 
1. 1869. It was pur by Frank 
H Coon in the spring of 1912. 
House built about 1873 by Geo 
C Coon. About 19 03, the barn 
and contents were burned. The 
barn was rebuilt the same year. 
106 a, 7c, 5h. 

— Marie F, wife, b Sept 13, 1872, 

— Samuel, son, b Dec 26, 1900. 

— Ruth, dau, b Dec 22, 1906. 

— George C, father, b Mar 6, 1848. 

■'■Corselius, Harry S, truck and da- 
iry far. Ransom, R2, Mil Sc; b 
on farm where he now lives Feb 
7. 1877. Son of Peter, who built 
house abt 1886. 126a, 8c, 4h, 
2 hogs. 

— Maud E (Bedell), b July 22,1879. 

— Mary H, dau, b Sept 23. 1900. 

— George B, son, b April 25, 1907. 

— Floyd S, son, b June 9, 1909. 
'•■Coslett, Lewis AV, mine track 
layer, W Scranton, Mt Dew Sc; 
b Sept 24, 1871 in Taylor and 
came to Ransom Dec 2, 1909, 
and pur present home in Sept. 
1909 from Mrs. Thos. Harris. 
The first house was built about 
1889 by Isaac Sidebottom, and 
burned Aug 5, 19 09. The new 
house was built in 1910 by Mr. 
Coslett. 1 acre. 

— Sarah J, wife, b June 6, 1870. 

— William T, son, b Dec 4, 1895. 

— George P, son, b June 5, 1899. 

— Arthur L, son, b Sept 2, 1903. 

— Grace I, dau, b Oct 14, 1905. 

Courtright, Harry A, blacksmith in 
Milwaukie, Ransom. R2, Mil Sc; 
b May 14, 1886 at Keyser Val- 
ley; came to Ransom April 1, 
1895. Rented John C. Kunsman 
blacksmith shop Sept 1. 1910. 
House owned by Horace Hoi- 



240 



DIRECTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



comb, and was built about 1850 
bj- Peter Bedell. 

— Margaret ( Bedell ), b Jan 20, '87. 

■'■Oourti'ight, Horace, truck and da- 
iry far, Ransom, R2, Mt Val Sc; 
b June 6, 1860 in Monroe coun- 
ty and came to Ransom in Mar, 
1887 and Nov 28, 1904 he pur- 
chased his present home from 
Jacob Bedell for ,$4,000. Farm 
settled about 18 40 bp Joseph 
Krouse, who built the log-house 
now standing on the place. It 
was purchased by Jacob Bedell, 
Mar 30, 1875. House built by 
Jacob Bedell in 1884. 110a, 
16c, 5 h, 8 hogs. 

— Willard H, son, b Nov 24, 1887. 

— Mabel B, dau, b Aug 29, 1889. 

— Anna S, dau, b May 28, 1891. 

— Laura B, dau, b Sept 20, 1893. 

— Howard L, son, b June 20, 1895. 

— Walter, son, b Oct 3, 1896. 

— Christian K, son, b Feb 16,1899 

— Albert W, son, b Dec 20, 1901. 

*Oourti'ight, Mi-s. Phebe, Ransom, 
R2, Mil Sc; b Oct 13, 1850 in 
R twp. House built about 1850 
by Seeley Rosenkrans. 

— Pearl L, dau, b Aug 6, 1893. 

D 

*Davles, Albert R, truck far. Ran- 
som, R2, Mil Sc; b at Russell 
Hill,Wyoming co July 29, 1872; 
came to R Apr 1, 1902. House 
built abt 18 84 by Brittian Wil- 
liams. 44a, 2c, 3h. 

— Arminda B. (Sweet), b Aug 26, 
1874. 

— Horace H, son, b Aug 30, 1897. 

— Albert F, son, b May 22, 1902 

*Davis, Ira E, blacksmith and 
wheelwright, Ransom, R2; Mil 
Sc; b in Columbia co Oct 7, 
1857 and came to R in 1858 
with his father,Robert D. House 
built in 1894 by present owner. 
7a, 3c. 

— Hattie B(Rozelle), b Nov 6, '54. 

— Robert J, son b April 11, 1884. 

— Mary I, dau, b Oct 10, 1887. 

— Clarence I, son, b June 9, 1892. 

— Frances W, dau, b June 18, '98. 

— Arthur Z, bro, carpenter, b July 
16, 1878. 

*Depeake, George, lab, Scranton, 
care Con. Mine Office, Mt Dew 
Sc; b Oct, 1882 in Austria, and 
came to this country in 1906, 
pur present home June 22, 1911 

— Anna, wife, b Aug 25, 1887. 

— Mary, dau, b Feb 28, 1908. 

— Helen, dau, b Oct. 12, 1910. 

E 
Edwards, John, mine bratticeman, 
W Side Sta, Box 394, Scranton, 
Mt Dew Sc; b July 15, 1872 in 
Wales and came to this country 
Oct 31, 1910 and to R one day 
later. Brother of Thomas Bd- 
wards. Married Dec 2 6, 1895 to 
Miss Annie Dimmick, who was 
born in Frome, Somersetshire, 
England. House owned by Wm. 
Canterbury and built abt 1898 
by John Holcom. 2 acres. 



— Annie, wife, b Aug 7, 1875. 

*Edwards, Thos E, 2d asst mine 
foreman, Box 394, W Side Sta, 
Scranton, Mt Dew Sc; b Nov 23, 
IS 58 in Wales and came to this 
country April 29, 1882. Pur- 
chased lot abt 1888 from Rich- 
ard Strouch, and built house 2 
years later. Son of Edward and 
Elizabeth (Williams) Edwards. 
Thos. Edwards' first wife was 
Sarah Gilbert, who died Mar 17, 
1897. She was the mother of 
nine children. Mr. Edwards was 
married again Oct 13, 19 04 to 
Mrs. Isabella (Mead) Murray of 
Oxford, N.Y. iy2 acres. 

— Isabella, wife, b Apr 15, 185 4. 

— Clarence, son, b Nov 21, 1894. 

— Emily, dau, b Nov 18, 1897. 

*Englenian, Louis, car insp, Ran- 
som, R Sc; b Mar 12, 1868 in 
Pittston and came to R in Mar, 
1890. Working for L Val R R 
Co in the Coxton yard. House 
built by Sterling Griffin about 
1875. la, Ih. 

— Charlottie A(Stout),b Oct 23'7 

— Matilda May, dau, b Aug 6, '02. 

F 

*Pabrie, Julius, mine lab, 914 
Keyser ave, Scranton, Mt Dew 
Sc; b April 12, 1869 in Aus- 
tria and came to this country in 
July, 1898. Pur house and lot 
of Valentine Erbauch in 1904. 
House built in 1899 by Mr. Er- 
bauch. Mr. Frabie was marri- 
ed May 23, 1891 to Miss Sophia 
Gardner, who was b in Austria. 
1 acre. 

— Sophia, wife, b May 10, 1871. 

Charlie, son, slate picker, b April 
3, 1894. 

— Catherine, dau, b Nov 1, 1896. 

— Matilda, dau, b Jan 30, 1899. 

— William, son, b June 2, 1904. 

— Pauline, dau, b Mar 7, 1907. 

— Frank, son, b Oct 6, 19 09. 

*Felker, Howard L, car repairer, 
Ransom, R Sc; b Feb 14, 1879 
in Monroe co, and came to R 
about IS 89 with his parents, 
Louis and Lydia (Featherman) 
Felker. Married Aug 10,1905 to 
Miss Anna, dau of Anthony and 
Barbara (Ferris) Richards of 
Pittston. House built about 
1872 by I D. Willis. Ih. 

— Anna V, wife, b Apr 21, 1S77. 

— Lewis W, son, b Sept 22, 1907. 

G 

*Gardner, Elias A, far, Ransom, 
R2, Mil Sc; b in R near the fer- 
ry April IS, 184 7 and a son of 
Samuel and a greatgrandson of 
John, the first settler in Ran- 
som. Farm settled by Chas. Wil- 
son, House built by Elias 
Gardner in April. 1SS7. 97a, 
Ic, lb, 1 hog. 

— Martha (Cooper), b Mar 11, '51. 

Gardner, Jas, stone mas. Ransom, 
R2, Mil Sc; b Mar 2, 1852 in 
R. Son of Samuel and Marga- 
ret (Smith) Gardner. Married 



,Iuly 3, 18 78 to Miss Rosa, dau 
of Daniel Garey of Silver Lake. 
Susquehanna co. She died in 
Aug, 1890. Living with his'^jro, 
Elias. 

Gardner, Jas S, lab. Ransom, R Sc; 
b Nov 5, 1866 in Newton twp, 
and came to R in 1891. House 
owned by the Granhan est of 
Pittston, and built by Samuel 
Vanderburg, Jr, about 1893. 

— Stella, wife, b Mar 14, 1861. 

— Vivian D, son, b Dec 25, 1894. 

— Luzon O, son, b Sept 29, 1899. 

— Faith, adop dau, b Mar 31, '07. 

Gaul, Frank W, carpenter, Scran- 
ton gen del, W Side.Mt Dew Sc; 
b .July 31, 1884 in Hyde Park, 
and came to R July 15, 1901. 
Living in part of father's house. 

— Emma, wife, b Nov 22, 1886. 

— Howard F, son, b Oct 13, 1909. 

*Gaul, Wm A, car and con, Scran- 
ton, W Side P O, Mt Dew Sc; 
b June 14, 1854 in Dunmore. 
In 1901 he pur present home 
from Geo R Wandel for $600, 
where they moved July 15, the 
same year. The first house, a 
small 3-room bldg, was erected 
about 1891 by Geo R Wandel, 
and in 19 02 it was remodeled 
and enlarged by the pres owner. ■ 
This property contains 2 famous 
never failing springs, one known 
as the old "Indian Spring." 
When the typhoid fever epide- 
mic broke out in Scranton in the 
winter of 1906 and 1907, Mr. 
Gaul began bottling and selling 
the water in Scranton, doing 
quite an extensive business. 4a. 

— Sophia, wife, b May 15, 1858. 
•■■Geary, Joseph, stone mason and 
tar. Ransom, R2, R Sc; b April 
3, 1846 in Jessup twp, Susque- 
hanna CO. and came to R about 
1867. House built in 1873 by 
Mr. Geary. Enlisted Mar 19, 
1864 in Co H, 141st Pa Vol and 
served until war closed. Mar- 
ried Apr 2 3, IS 67 to Miss Har- 
riet Smith, dau of Peter A and 
granddau of Elias Smith, one of 
the pioneer settlers of Newton 
twp. Mr and Mrs Geary have 
five children living and two 
dead; Charles W was killed by 
lightning June 29, 1906. 50a, 
2c, 2h, 1 hog. 
— Harriet (Smith, b Aug 2, 184S. 
— Geo W, son, b Feb 23, 1889. 
Grose, Mrs. Anna, Ransom, R2, Mt 
Val Sc; b Aug 1, 1847 in Mil- 
ford, N J. Living with her son- 
in-law, John P Maas. Married 
Charles Grose, who died Dec 12. 
1907. 

H 
•■■Hantz, Anthony, gen far. Ran- 
som, R2, R Val Sc; b June 1,'6S 
in Germany, and came to this 
country in April, 1884. He 
moved to his present home Apr 
1, 1911. Farm settled by John 
McMillan abt 1800. About 1840 
it was pur by Jacob Dershimer. 
and later by David M Huth- 



DIRECTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



241 



maker, who built residence 1890. 
S5a, 2c, 2h, 3 hogs. 
Mary, wife, b Feb 1, 1866. 

— William, son, b Jan 22, 1891. 

— Mary, dau, b Feb 2, 1893. 

— Leo, son, b April 5, 1895. 

— Jennie, dau, b July 14, 19 01. 

— Helen, dau, b Sept 3, 1902. 

— Anthony, son, b Oct 29, 1906, 

— Stanley, son, b April 8, 1909. 

— Margaret, dau, b July 9, 1911. 

'•Harder, Arthur, far. Ransom, R 
Sc. House built about 1876 by 
Joseph Osborn. 

— Ella, wife. 

— William, son. 

— Emma (Shook), dau-in-law. 

■■■Hoffman, Frederick, tr farmer. 
Ransom, R2, Mt Val Sc; b Dec 
2 4, 18 76 in Mil. Purchased 
farm May 28, 19 07 from Wm. 
Blackwell est. Farm set and 
house built by Mr. Blackwell abt 
186 8. Mr Hoffman was married 
Mar 26, 1892 to Miss Maggie E, 
dau of Joseph and Sarah (Black- 
well) Brezee. Mr Hoffman is 
a son of John and Elizabeth 
(Maas) Hoffman of R. 25a, 2c, 
Ih, 3 hogs, 7 pigs. 

— Maggie E, wife, b Sept 27, 1875. 

— Joseph J, son b March 2 8, 19 04. 

■'Hoffman, Jolin, tr far, Ransom, 
R2, Mil Sc; b Oct 28, 1851 in 
Germany, and came to Scranton 
with his parents. May 28, 1860, 
and in the autumn of the same 
year to R twp, and to the farm 
where he now lives, Sept 2 8, '7 4. 
This was the last farm set in R 
twp, which was set by Martin 
Hoffman in 1874, who built the 
house and barn the same year, 
which have since been enlarged. 
84a, 4c, 5h, 4 hogs. 

— Elizabeth (Maas), b Feb 12, '58, 

— John J, son, b .July 30, 1884. 

— Elnora C, dau b May 26, 1886. 

— Mildred, dau, b Aug 11, 1888. 

— William, son, b Dec 13, 1890. 

— Ruth M, dau, b Mar 29, 1904. 

— Martin, father, b Feb 10, 1826. 

■'HolcoiTib Horace, justice-of-the-p. 
Ransom, R2, Mil Sc, b Dec 13, 
18 44 in Great Falls, N H; came 
to Wilkes-Barre in 1886 and to 
R in '04. Married May 10, 1893 
to Miss Mary, dau of John Ra- 
der of R. House built in 1904 
by Mr Holcomb. Elec Justice- 
of-the-p in Feb, 1908. 3a, lb. 

— Mary (Rader), b July 27, 1851. 

Howells, Moses, moterman, 2 767 
Frink st, Scranton. Boarding 
with Hiley W. Stewart; b Mar 
18, 1891 on Winton Mountain. 
Son of David B and Jemmia 
(Erobison) Howells. 
'•'Huft'ord, Henry, lab. Ransom, R 
Sc; b in Monroe co. Mar 7, 1854 
and came to R in 1877. Son of 
Nathan and Eliizabeth (Decue) 
Hufford. House built in 1874 
by Corridon Barber. Mr. Hut- 
ford was mar Jan 18, 18 79 to 
Miss Amanda, dau of Abraham 
and Julia Ann (Miller) Neyhart 
of Monroe co. Mr. and Mrs. 



Hufford have three children: 
Grace, b April 22, 1882 and 
mar Ulysses Kresge and living 
in Dunmore; Walter H, b June 
26, 1884 and mar Mabel Mc- 
Neal and living in Montana, la. 

— Amanda, wife, b Aug 29, 1854. 

— Edna, dau, b April 2, 1889. 

Huggler, Emil, tr far. Ransom, R2, 
Mt Val Sc; b April 6, 1862 in 
Switzerland and came to this 
country about 1863. Mar Sept 
4, 188i to Miss Emma Eggler of 
Liberty, N Y. Moved to R in 
Oct, 19 09. Farm set by Philip 
Harlos, Sr about 1840, who 
built the stone house about '61. 
100a, 4c, 2h, 4hogs, 7 pigs. 

— Emma, wife, b Feb, 22, 1864. 

— Charles, son, b April 4, 1891. 

— Fred, son, b June 20, 1893. 

— William, son, b June 10, 1895. 

— Leona, son, b July 30, 1897. 

— Walter, son, b Feb 15, 1899. 

— Oscar, son, b Oct 6, 1903. 

— Emil, son, b Nov 27, 1905. 

'■'Huthmaker, Roy H, tr tar. Ran- 
som, R Sc; b June 22, 1889 in 
R near R Home. House built 
about 1864 by Jacob Bertels for 
a store, which has been enlarg- 
ed several times. 14a, 3h. 

'•'Huthmaker, Thos J, tr far. Ran- 
som, R2, Mil Sc; b Aug 1, 1847 
in Ransom. Farm set by David 
Huthmaker, who built barn abt 
1840, and the house was built 
about '6 by Jacob Huthmaker. 
160a, 5c, 4h, 2 hogs. 

— H. Eliza, wife, b May 17, 1857. 

— Thomas E, son b June 4, 1892. 

— Rhalda R, dau, b Feb 26, 1899. 

Dornblazer, Blanche E, granddau, 
b Aug 7, 1899. 



'•'Ives, Francis M, car and wood 
worker, Ransom, R Sc; b Oct 9, 
1854 in R on the farm now own- 
ed by Jeptha C Richards. Mr. 
Ives owns the old Gardner Per- 
ry property, which was built 
about 1795 by Richard Gardner 
and deeded to his son, Samuel 
and grandson, Geo W, May 24, 
1851; to Mrs Mary A Ives Aug 
13, 1866 and to Francis M Ives 
Nov 1, 1910. House built about 
18 78 by Wm L Ives. 1 acre. 

— Marilla E(Akens), b Aug 12, '57 

K 

KlaHe, Mrs Regina B, Mt Dew Sc; 

living with her dau, Mrs Joseph 
Long; b Oct 3, 1839 in Germ'y. 

— Gottlieb, son b April 3, 1870. 

*Klipple, Christopher H, truck far. 
Ransom, R2, Mil Sc; b July 17, 
1851 in Wilkes-Barre; came to 
farm where now living with his 
parents, when nine months old. 
House built in Aug, 185 6, by his 
father, Wenzel Klipple. Mar- 
ried Nov 25,1880 to Miss Rachel 
Roth of Scranton. They have 
three children: Sadie, mar Dec 
2, 1902 to Ira Lacoe. She was 
born Oct 25, 1882. 85a, 2c, 4h, 



3 hogs. 
— Rachel(Roth), b Mar 20, 1854. 
— Theresa, dau, b May 10, 1885. 
— John W, son, b Aug 25, ISSS. 

Klipple, Walter M, farm lab. Ran- 
som, R2, Mil Sc; b Jan 5, 1885 
in Milwaukie. Son of William; 
married April 2 2, 19 09 to Miss 
Sadie M, dau of Mrs Phebe 
Courtright. Home built about 
18 40 by Peter Petty, and re- 
modeled in 1909 by Wm Klip- 
ple, the present owner. Ic, 2h, 
2 hogs. 

— Sadie M, wife, b Feb 26, 1888. 

■^'Klipple, Wm, tr far, Ransom, R2, 
Mil Sc; b Aug 20,1856 in R twp. 
Son of Wenzel; married Feb 2 7, 
1883 to Miss Mildred Petty, dau 
of Peter Petty of Milwaukie; 
two dau and one son. Walter is 
married and living in Milwau- 
kie. House built in 1881 by 
Wenzel Klipple. Barn built abt 
1840 by Jacob Dersheimer. Wm 
Klipple moved on farm in Mar. 
1889. 52a, 3c, Ih, 3 hogs. 

— Mildred (Petty), b June 29, '59. 

— Sarah E, dau, teacher, b Sept 6, 
1887. 

— Mary I, dau, b June 20, 1891. 

"Korischar, Stephen, miner, 914 
S Keyser ave, Scranton, Mt Dew 
Sc; b Aug 14, 1854 in Austria 
and came to this country May 
30, 1S87 and to R July 6, 1898. 
Pur 41/2 a of Chas Mayer for 
$3 00 and built house in 1898. 
Son of John and Mary Korishar. 
Married Sept 4, 187 7 to Miss 
Mary Starobetzky,who was born 
in Austria. Five children, two 
of whom are married: William, 
born May 2, 188 5 and married 
Jan. 21, 1908 to Miss Minnie 
Riske and living in Scranton; 
John, born June 22, 1889 and 
married Aug 3, 1910 to Miss 
Agnes Worbliska. 4 V2 acres. 

— Mary, wife, b June 15, 1859. 

— George, son, b Aug 3, 1893. 

— Helen, dau, b June 8, 1897. 

— Mary, dau, b June 6, 1879. 

'■'Krauss, Michael G, lab, Scranton, 
care of Continental Mine Office, 
Mt Dew Sc; b July 11, 1868 in 
Germ'y; came to this country in 
188 4, and to R in Dec, 1893. 
Pur land at $80 per acre, from 
John Mayer, Sept 2, 1893 and 
built house same year. 7% a, Ic, 
2 hogs. 

— Margaret, wife, b July 6, 1871. 

— John A, son, b Dec 20, 1891. 

— Katheryn M, dau, b May 28,'9 4. 

— Leonard W, son, b Feb 2, 1896. 

— Henry J, son, b Nov 18, 1898. 

— George F, son, b April 19, 1901. 

— Margaret E, dau, b Aug 27, '06. 

— Louise G, dau, b June 15, 1908. 

— Ruth M, dau, b Oct 13, 1911. 

'■'Krouse, AIvy, car and far, Ran- 
som, R2, Mt Val Sc; b Aug 14, 
'49 in the log-house now stand- 
ing on farm of Horace Court- 
right. Farm set by Geo M Triv- 
ley about 18 42, who built a log- 
house across the road.and about 



242 



DIRECTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



five rods down the hill from the 
present house. About 185 5 Mr. 
Trivley built the present home. 
In 187 6 the farm was divided. 
Alvy Krouse pur 40a for $3- 
700. InlS97 Lewis Powell pur 
the other part for $2,500. 40a, 
1 horse. 

— Marietta, wife, b .July 2, 18 39. 

*Kryiiisky, Victor S, far. Ransom, 
R2, R Val Sc;. A Polish family 
of five or six, but the writer 
could obtain no information, 

■•'Kunsnian, John C, blacksmith, 
Ransom, R2, Mil Sc; b Nov 27, 
1871 in Georgetown, Del, and 
came to R April 13, 1883 with 
his uncle, Tobias Stine. Son of 
John M and Elizabeth (Stine) 
Kunsman. Married Feb 15, '9t! 
to Miss Lulu M, dau of Peter 
and Emma (Rader) Bedell. 
House built about 1891 by L. 
M. McCluskey. 

— Lulu, wife, b Jan 31, 1875. 

— Albert B, son, b Dec 26, 1896. 

— Peter J, son, b April 21, 1906. 

— Karl P, son, b Dec 18, 1910. 

•'■Kiinsnian, Mr.s. Sarah, Ransom. 
R2, Mil Sc: b Oct 3, 1836 in 
New Jersey; came to Mil March 
1, 189 9. .Widow of Jacob Kuns- 
man who died in 1878, House 
built in 18 48 by Henry Barker. 
5a, 1 h. 

— Jacob B, son, b May 5, 1869. 

Finkley, Charles, grandson, b Mar 
23, 1896. 



Lacoe, Chirence D, far lab. Ran. 
som, Rl, R Sc; b Sept 1, 1878 
in R. Working for his father, 
James M. House and farm own- 
ed by James M. Lacoe, being the 
David Learn farm which was 
IMirchased by Mr Lacoe in spring 
of 1910. 71a, Ic, 2 pigs, 

— EHzabeth M (Swartwood), b 
May 6, 1SS3. 

— Ellsworth A, son, b Jan 10, '05. 

— DeWitt, J, son, b April 17, 1906. 

— Gladys M, dau, b Oct 29, 1908. 

*Lacoe, James M, tr and gen far. 
Ransom, Rl , R Sc; b June 6, 
185 6 in Newton twp, where J 
P Lacoe is living; moved to R 
twp in Mar, 1S80, and to pres- 
ent home, Peb 19, 1887, which 
he pur Nov 4, 1886. D M Huth- 
maker pur this farm May 1, '6 5 
of Jno N Conyngham of Wilkes- 
Barre. Mr Huthmaker cleared 
abt 15 acres, and sold to Amos 
Learn, Mar 25, 1868. His son, 
Harvey Learn, built the first 
buildings, the house in 1878 
and the barn in 1SS2. Mr Lacoe 
enlarged barn in 1890, and the 
house in 1901 and 1908. 116a 
in this farm and ila in the 
David Learn farm, making a to- 
tal of 187a, 4c, oh, 5 hogs. 

— Barbara M (Barrier), b July 28, 
1857. 

— Grace M, dau, b Nov 27, 1882. 

*TjaiKlsitIIe, Christopher, tr far. 
Ransom, R2, Mt Val Sc; b in 



Germany Got 2 0, 1858 and came 
to this country in May, 187 3. 
Pur this farm in April, 1904, of 
Mrs Jacob Courtright. Son of 
Henry and Margaret Landsidle 
of German.y. Married Mar 3 0, 

1884 to Miss Emma D, dau of 
Wm and Margaret (Ace ) Black- 
well. Farm set about 1851 by 
Solomon Ace, who built part of 
house in 1865. The main part 
was built about 1870 by Mathias 
Blackwell. 65a, 3c, 2h, 4 hogs. 

— Emma D, wife, b Oct 4, 1861. 

— Plosse J, dau, b July 18, 1891. 

— Wm H, son, b July 22, 1893. 

— Bessie M, dau, b Oct 3, 1895. 

— Grace Agnes, dau,b April 20, '98 

— George C, son, b April 5, 19 04. 

•■■■L/antlsietlel, Lewis A, tr far. Ran- 
som, R2, Mt Val Sc; b Jan 20, 
1878 in R twp. Farm set in 
1861 by Conrad Maas( father of 
Mrs. Landsiedel), who built a 
log-house, and during summer 
of 1871 he built the present re- 
sidence, and the barn in IS 68. 
Farm pur by present owner Dec 
3, 1906 for $3,600. 72a, 3c, 3h, 
3 hogs. 

— Emma, wife, b April 29, 187 3. 

— Gertrude C, dau, b Sept 18, '02. 

— Clarence W, son, b Aug 14, '04. 

— Edna M, dau, b May 19, 1910. 

— Gertrude (Brookhouse) , mother, 
b Oct 30, 1848. 

'■■Landsiedel, Mrs Margaret, Ran- 
som, R2, R Val Sc; b June 24, 
1847 on the farm now owned 
by John Roeszler. Dau of Chas. 
and Elizabeth ( Rader ) Roeszler. 
Married Ajjr 9, 1864 to Andrew 
Landsiedel, who was b Jan 1, 
1839 in Germany and died Aug 
26, 1900. They had a family of 
five children: Elizabeth, Chas, 
Emma, Harry and Catherine. 
Charles died in infancy. Farm 
set by John Shallenberger abt 
18 42, and the house built in 
1865 by Andrew Landsiedel, and 
was enlarged in 1884, 8 0a, Ic. 

— Elizabeth, dau, b July 5, 1866. 

■■■Learn, Amos C, far. Ransom Rl, 
R Val Sc; b Aug 5, 1S55 in N 
twp on the farm now owned by 
Arthur Hollenback, and came to 
R in 19 00. He was mar Apr 23, 

1885 to Miss Mary E, dau of 
Theron and Miranda (Miller) 
Brown of Falls twp. Mr. Learn 
is a son of Amos and Margaret 
(Shook) Learn, who came from 
Monroe co; set in Newton twp 
about 1834. Farm set about 
17 70 by Peleg Comstock. Later 
it was owned by John M Cun. 
ningham, who sold to P. K. 
Richards in June, 18 69. Mr. 
Learn jjur farm in 19 07 and en- 
larged house same year, which 
was first built by P K Richards. 
This farm, when first settled, 
was a part of the farm now own- 
ed by Jesse P Richards. The 
farm was divided when owned 
by P K Richards. 7 5a, 2c, 3h, 
1 mule, 7 sheep, 2 hogs. 



— Mary E, wife, b June 13, 1856. 

Learn, T Thos, far, Ransom, Rl, 
R Val Sc; living with his father, 
Amos C Learn; b in Newton, 
May S, '88; came to R in 1900. 
Married Miss Kathryn, dau of 
Geo and Etta(Wiess) Ace of R. 

— Kathryn, wife, b June 9, 18 89. 

— Louise, dau. b July 19, 1907. 

'-Legs, AVni, far. Ransom, R2, Mt 
Val Sc; b Aug 27, 186 in York- 
shire, England and came to this 
country in 1894 and moved to 
R in May, 1910. Son of James 
and Anna (Hutchinson) Legg. 
Married Oct 4,'85 to Miss Mag- 
gie, dau Geo and Mary (Ryan) 
Jackson. Farm set abt 18 40 by 
Scott Carey. 35a, 3c, 2 mules, 
4 hogs. 

— Maggie, wife, b March 11, 1867. 

— Tessie, dau, b June 19, 1894, 

— William, son, b Oct 23, 1896, 

— George, son, b Dec 13, 1902. 

— Helen, dau, b Oct 8, 1905. 

— John, son, b Jan 4, 1911. 

Lewis, Tlio-s H, miner. Box 43 4 W 
Scranton, Mt Dew Sc; b Jan 2, 
1869 in S Wales and came to 
this country in Oct, 1894, and 
to R Nov 1, 19 07. Farm set 
and house built by Wm Lloyd 
about 1880. Pur by Wm T 
Jones, the present owner, about 
1904. 45a, 5c, 2h, 1 hog, 1 sheep 

— Mary Jane, wife, b Oct 12, 1870. 

— Margaret E, dau, b Dec 26, '90. 

— John T, son, b March 15, 1895. 

— Hannah M, dau, b June 7, 1897. 

— Henry E, son, b Jan 1, 1900. 

— Elizabeth, dau, b June 11, 1902. 

— Ethel J, dau, b April 25, 1905. 

— Thomas D, son, b Feb 15, 1908. 

— Emlyn, son, b Aug 25, 1910. 

*Long, Joseph, lab in brewery, ad- 
dress in care of E Robinson's 
Brewery, Scranton, Mt Dew Sc; 
b June 22, 1879 in Germany 
and came to this country with 
his parents when three years of 
age. Farm set and house built 
in 18 88 by John Moor. Pur by 
present owner Nov 7, '10. Mar 
Miss Anna M Klaile, who was b 
in Germany and came to this 
country in 1890. 2 0a, Ic, Ih, 
2 hogs. 

— Anna M, wife, b Oct 4, 1881. 

— Frank J, son, b July 2, 19 03. 

— Irene M, dau, b April 21, 1905. 

M 

••■Maas, Jolm P, tr far. Ransom, 
R2, Mt Val Sc; b Mar 25, '68 in 
the house where he now resides, 
where he has always lived. 
Farm set about 1846 by Conrad 
Maas; house built about 185 
by John Maas, Sr. 12 0a, 3c, 
2h, 3 hogs. 

— Elizabeth, wife, b Mar 25, 1870. 

— David, son, b June 7, 1893, 

— Lucy, dau, b Aug 3, 1909. 

— Truman B, son, b Oct 2, 1910. 

*Maas, AVesIey, far. Ransom, R2, 
R Val Sc ; b Dec 21, 1884 on the 
farm now owned by Chas Rich- 
ter. Farm set by John Thurber, 



DIRECTORY OF RANSOM TOAVNSHIP 



243 



who built the stone house. The 
farm was later pur by Oscar En- 
glebrick. About 1891 it was 
sold to Rudolph Troub, and one 
year later pur by Mrs. Wenzel 
Maas, and in Fel3, 1911 it was 
sold to Wesley Maas, son o( 
Wenzel and Mary (Swai'tz) Maas. 
Wesley Maas was mar Dec 2 4, 
19 08 to Miss Susie, dau of John 
and Ellen (Miller) Blackwell. 
50a, 2c, 2h, 2 hogs. 

— Susie, wife, b Oct 17, 1886. 

— Albert W, son, b Jan 14, 1910. 

Note — Mr. Maas sold farm Dec S, 
1911 to Wm Toczko, of Pittston. 

*Ma.jor, Thos P, engineer at the 
Lehigh Val Coal Storage Plant 
at R, R Sc; b Nov 18, 1871 in 
. Hull-upon-Humber, England, 
and came to this country when 
four years of age and to R in 
1901. Son of Thomas P, Sr, of 
Pittston. Mar Oct 2 4, 1893 to 
Miss Susan, dau of Wm and Ann 
Polly of Pittston, House built 
about 1S79 by Theo Hatten. 2a. 

— Susan (Polly), b Mar 5, 1875. 

*Mayei', Mrs Mary, far, 914 Keyser 
ave, Scranton, Mt Dew Sc; b 
May 7, 18 59 in Germany and 
came to this country in 188 2. 
and to R in 1889. Her husband, 
Chas Mayer, pur land from Ellis 
Freeman & Snyder in the spring 
of 1889, and erected house in 
May, which was enlarged by 
Mrs. Mayer in 1909. 2 0a, 2c, 
Ih, 3 hogs. 

— Victor, son, b May 19, 1880. 

— Josephine, dau, b Feb 23, 1888. 

— August, son, b Dec 4, 1890. 

— Robert, son, b Nov 5, 1892. 

— Pauline, dau. b Jan 23, 1895. 

— Grace, dau, b Sept IS, 1896. 

— Joseph, son, b Nov 29, 1898. 

— Otto, son, b Jan 6, 1900. 

SIcCabe, James, sec foreman for 
L V R R Co at R, Ransom, R 
Sc; b June 3, 1860 in Ireland, 
and came to this country in Wy- 
oming CO in June, 1867 and to 
R in Mar, 1908. House belongs 
to Martin Myers of Barbertown, 
and was built about 187 by 
Rev S I Sharters. 

— Anna (Burk), b June 7, 1870. 

— Harry, son, b Mar 2 5, 19 02. 

— Ellen, dau, b Feb 18, 1904. 

— Francis, son, b Oct 6, 1905. 

— John, son, b Feb 23, 1906. 

— Katherine, dau, b May 21, 1909. 

— Charles, son, b Oct 20, 1910. 

*Metzg-ar, Peter S, tr far, Ransom, 
R2, Mt Val Sc; b Dec 16, 1847 
in Monroe co and came to R in 
1892 and pur house and lot 
from Wade Clark; pur present 
home May 16, 1911 of Mrs. J 
Koster and Geo Hartman of 
Scranton. Farm settled by John 
Koster about 1870, who built 
present house about 1879. 50a. 
Ic, 2h, 4 hogs. 

— Ada, wife, b April 25, 1864. 

— William H, son, b Sept 14, 1886. 

Blackwell, Mrs. Margaret, mother- 
in-law, b Sept 24, 1832. 



Michael, Mrs Elizabeth, Ransom, 
R2, Mt Val Sc; b in Middle 
Smithfleld twp, Monroe co and 
came to R in April, 1873. She 
is a dau of Samuel Michael. She 
mar David J Michael, who died 
a few years ago. She is living 
with her dau, Mrs Edwin S Mil- 
ler. 

Miller, Adam B, far lab, Ransom, 
R2, Mt Val Sc; b Sept 21, 188 4 
in R twp. Farm first pur by 
Jacob Drake about 1842 and 
later was settled by Wm Mosier, 
who built the present residence 
about 18 48. Adam B is work- 
ing for his father, Edwin S. Mil- 
ler, who pur farm of Mrs, Sus- 
annah Mosier, May 13, 1902. 
This farm contains 100 acres. 

— Edna G (Huthmaker), b July 
2, 1886. 

— Edwin S, son, b Nov 5, 1907. 

— Norman E, son, b Aug 29, 1910. 

-'Miller, Edwin S, tr and da far, 
Ransom, R2, Mt Val Sc; b Sept 
8, 1861 in Jackson twp, Monroe 
CO, and came to Ransom in 
Apr. 1872, and to present home 
April 1, 1894. Pur farm of 
David Z Michaels. Farm set 
about 1840 by Fritz Michael, 
who built first house, which was 
burned Sept 29, 1882, and was 
rebuilt the next year by David 
Z Michael. Mr. Miller remodel- 
ed and enlarged house in 1907. 
Mar Miss Sarah M, dau of David 
and Elizabeth Michaels, 16 5a, 
40c, 9h, 

— Sarah M, wife, b Dec 1, 1865, 

Michael, Mrs. Elizabeth, mother- 
in-law. 

*Miller, Irwin, farmer. Ransom, 
R Sc; b May 9, 18 33 in Tunk- 
hannock and came to R March 
25, 1911. He owned and lived 
on a large farm in Exeter twp, 
for over forty years, until he 
moved to R, Son of George and 
Polly (Jenkins) Miller, Mar- 
ried Jan 28. 18 62 to Miss Falla 
Shari)s, dau of Peter and Eliza- 
beth (Breese) Sharps of Exeter. 
Four children, two sons and two 
daughters. 

— Falla, wife, b Aug 22, 1840. 

— George S, son, b Jan 5, 1870. 

*Mosier, Mrs Susannah, Ransom. 
R2, Mt Val Sc; b July 6, 1849 
in Jackson twp, Monroe co, and 
came to R in 1870. Dau of 
Peter and Sarah (Bieshline) Mil- 
ler. Married Nov 12 ,'71 to Wm 
Mosier, who was b Feb 18,1822 
in Smithiield twp, Monroe co, 
and died Aug 11, 18 93. Farm 
first owned about 1842 by Jacob 
Drake and was pur about 1847 
by Mr Mosier, who built the 
present house in 188 4. The 
farm contained 104a until 1902, 
when Edwin S Miller ijurchased 
100 acres, 4a. 

-Moss, Henry, farmer, 912 Keyser 
ave, Scranton, Mt Dew Sc; b 
Oct 25, 1848 in Cheshire, Eng, 
and came to this country June 



25, 1872, and pur present home 
in Nov, 19 04 of John Jones. who 
built house abt 1899. Married 
July 1, 1896 to Miss Rushia.dau 
of Milton and Angeline (Bart- 
low) Swingle of Wayne co. 2 5a, 
Ih, 3 hogs, 11 pigs. 

— Rushia, wife, b Aug 9, 1869. 

■■■■Munson, John, tr far, Ransom, 
Rl, Mil Sc; b Dec 9, 1833 in 
Sweden, and came to this coun- 
try about 187 and to R in 
186 6 and three years later mov- 
ed to Newton twp on Kern 
farm, where Peter Corselius 
now lives, and in June, 1905, 
returned to R. His son, Peter 
B, pur the farm where he now 
lives of Andrew Hopkins. Son 
of Mun Munson. In Aug, 1911, 
Peter B Munson erected a cider 
mill on the place and installed 
the press and mill owned and 
operated for several years by 
Ellas Smith of Newton twp. 
100a, 2c, 4h. 2 hogs. 

— Pernilla (Nelson), b May 2, '43. 

— Peter B, son, b Feb 23, 1870. 

— John A, son, b June 9, 1879. 

— Archie, son, b Jan 17, 188 5. 

■■Munson, Jos B, tr far, Ransom, 
Rl, Mil Sc; b Dec 6, 1881 in W 
Pittston and came to R with his 
parents in 188 6. Son of John 
and Pernilla (Nelson) Munson, 
of Mil. Farm set about 1840 
by Alex Beemer, and in 18 58 it 
was pur by Philip Barrier. Mr 
Munson moved to his present 
home Nov 17, 19 05, which he 
pur from the Lewis McClusky 
est. 79a, 6c, 2h, 2 hogs. 

— Blanche M, wfe, b July 19, '83. 

— Kathryn C, dau, b July 21, '07. 

— Helen J, dau, b June 17, 1909. 

— Mildred, dau, b May 23, 1912. 

NOTE — Mr Munson sold this farm 
Nov 8, 1911 to John Stevenson 
of Pittston. 

*SIusseIman, Chas, car repairer, 
Ransom, R Sc; b Dec 13, 1857 
in Hamilton, Monroe co, and 
came to R about 1880. House 
built in 1889 by present owner. 

— Matilda, wife, b Sept 7, 1862. 

— Victor D, son, b Aug 16, 1897. 

N 
Newman, Mrs Mary L, Ransom, 

Rl, lives with her son-in-law, 
Jeptha C Richards; b in Decker- 
town, N J, April 19, 183 4 and 
came to Wyoming co,when three 
years old and to Newton twp in 
1859. Married Mar 2, 1859 to 
Chas H Newman, who died Mar 
20, 1897. 

*Neyhart, Miss Amanda, Ransom, 
R Sc; dau of David and Sarah 
Neyhart; house built by David 
Neyhart about 18 68. 

— Miss Susan, sister. 

■'Nicholas, Harry,miner, 1 1 2 S Key- 
ser ave, Scranton, Mt Dew Sc; b 
May 7, 1870 in Wales and came 
to this country in Jan, 1888 and 
pur present home in Feb, 1903 
from Thos Howells, who built 



244 



DIREOTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



house about 18 97. Mr Nicholas 
was mar Aug 17, 1890 to Miss 
Catherine Roberts of Wales. 
Son of Ira and Eliza (Davis) 
Nicholas. 3 % acres. 

— Catherine, wife, b April 8, 1874. 

— Edward, son, b Dec 14, 1893. 

— Margaret, dau. b Sept 18, 1893. 

— Ira, son, b April 18, 1896. 

— Albert, son, b July 24, 1S9S. 

O 

*Ott, Margaret, Ransom, R2, R 
Val Sc; b Jan 8, 1844 on the 
farm where now living. Dau 
of Andrew and Anna (Harold) 
Ott, who set farm and built log- 
house In 18 42, which is the only 
log-house in the twp occupied 
by a family. Andrew Ott was 
b in Germany in 180 2 and died 
Sept 19, 1853. 100a, Ic, 2h. 

P 

Park, Mrs Ellen T), h keeper. Ran- 
som, R2, Mil Sc; b in Bradford 
CO Dec 4, 1837 and came to R 
April 1, 1906. Married John B 
Park who died Mar 7, 1903. 
Dau of Andrew J Hunt. Mrs 
Park is living with Martin Sick- 
ler. 

* Parker, Edward P, miner, 303 
Quay ave, Scranton, Mt Dew Sc; 
b Oct 10, 1861 in Hastings, Eng, 
and came to this country in 'SO. 
Moved to present home Oct 15, 
1894. Pur land of Mrs Andrew 
Wltzal, and built house in 1894. 
Mr Parker is a son of Philip and 
Sarah (Cook) Parker of Eng. 
Married Aug 29, 1887 to Miss 
Alice Mills. l%a, 1 horse. 

— Alice, wife, b May 20, 1863. 

— Fred, son, b Jan 5, 1894. 

— Prank, son, b May 20, 1899. 

*Petty, Milton W, tr far and fruit 
grower. Ransom, R2, Mil Sc; 
b June 2 9, 18 59 on the farm 
where living. First house built 
about 1840 by -Barney Dershei- 
nier. During the summer of 
1908 Mr Petty tore down most 
of old house and built the pres- 
ent home, containing ten large 
rooms. 90a, 2c, 3h, 2 hogs. 

— Mary A (Lacoe), b Aug 18, '60. 

— Mildred , dau, b Mar 5, 1893. 

—Sybil R, dau, b July 21, 1897. 

— George E. son, b June 27, 1899. 

Petty, Oswald W, merchant in Mil- 
waukle. Ransom. R2, Mil Sc; b 
Feb 7, 1883 in Mil. House own- 
ed by Wm Klipple,and was built 
by Jacob Courtright in 1907. 3h. 

— Mary B, wife, b Jan. 26, 1881. 

— Charles M, son, b Mar 8, 1909. 

— Baby, dau, b Dec 10, 1911. 

Petty, William C, tr far. Ransom, 
r'2. Mil Sc; b Nov 5, 1884 in 
Mil. Living with George W Ra- 
der, and working farm in part- 
nership. 

— Elizabeth (Rader),b Aug 16,'8 6. 

— Ruth, dau. Sept 12, 1909. 

— William M, son, b June 29, '11. 

*PoweIl. Tjewis E, tr far. Ransom, 
R2, Mt Val Sc; b May 22, 1867 



in Oxford, N J, and came to R 
April 5, 1898 from Scranton, 
where he worked in the mines 
for 2 4 years. Farm set about 
18 42 by George M Trivley, be- 
ing part of the farm now owned 
by Alvy Krouse until 1876, when 
Mr Krouse purchased 4 0a for 
.$3,700. The first house was 
built on the part now owned by 
Mr Powell abt 1860 by Edward 
B Trivley, size about 16x22 ft. 
About 1866 it was enlarged to 
2 6x54 feet for a hotel, which 
was kept by Mr Trivley until 
abt 1870; he moved to Wilkes- 
Barre. The post office at Mt Val 
was established in this bldg Aug 
7, '68; discontinued June 25, '94. 
This building was consumed by 
fire June 5, 1898. The present 
home was built by Mr Powell, 
and first occupied Nov 1, 1898. 
Mathias Trivley owned the farm 
from 1870 to 1897, when it was 
pur by Mr Powell for $2,500. 
75a, 3c, 4h, '2 hogs. 

— Gertrude, wife, b Feb 9, 1869. 

— Eugene C, son, b Dec 30, 1889. 

— Myrtle J, dau, b July 4, 1897. 

Pulver, Andrus P, lab, W Scran- 
ton, Mt Dew Sc; b June, 1862. 
Came to R Oct 28, 1908. House 
built in 1877 by Andrew Wltzal. 
This farm is part of the tract 
set in 1832 by Mr Woolsey, and 
is now owned by Geo Kellou of 
Green Ridge. 28a, Ih, Ic, 2 
hogs, 7 pigs. 

— Mary, wife, b June 17, 18 58. 

R 

*Radev, Geo W, tr far, Ransom, 
R2, Mil Sc; b in R on German 
Hill Oct 26, 1859. House built 
about 1860 by Ed Clark. 60a, 
3c 2h 2 lioR's. 

— Catherine (Zeiss), b Mar 7, '60. 

— Catherine, dau, b Aug 29, 1887. 

— Marion R, dau, b May 20, 1896. 

— Rosanna, sister, b Nov 12, 1856. 

*Raife, Levi, gen far. Ransom, Rl, 
R Val Sc; b Jan 30, 1846 on 
the farm where now lives. Son 
of Conrad and Margaret (Rader) 
Married Dec 29, 1872 to Miss 
Caroline, dau of Daniel and Ju- 
lia (Willis) Honeywell. House 
built 1890 by pres owner. 60a. 
4c, 2h. 

— Lydia, Caroline, w, b June 15, 
1849. 

Ransom Home (Pittston Poor 
Farm), Ransom, R2, R Val Sc; 

— Geo H Rlfenbary, supt. 

— Mrs Geo H Rlfenbary, matron. 

— Frank Avery, foreman. 

— Mrs Frank Avery, asst matron. 

Reed, Willis L, far. Ransom R2, 
Mil Sc; b Jan IS, 1863 in Mil. 
Living in part of his father's 
house and working the farm. 
Son of N G Reed. Married Feb 
2 0, 189 5 to Miss Minnie E, dau 
of Zlba and Bethana(Hallstead) 
Ross of Lenoxville. 3c, 3h, 5 
hogs. 

— Minnie E, wife, b Sept 17, 1868. 



— Mildred A, dau, b Nov 19, 1896. 

— Ralph L, son, b Feb 22, 1906. 

*Reed, Nicholas G, far. Ransom, 
R2,Mil Sc; b Dec 15, '27 in what 
is now Glenburn, and came to 
Mil in May, 1852. Son of Benj 
W. Married Jan 27, 1857 to 
Miss Sarah Ann, dau of Peter 
and Sarah (Naugle) Petty. 
Three living children: Frank, 
Willis L and Mrs. Mary E Hop- 
kins. Roscoe died when two 
years old. Mr Reed was appoint- 
ed the first postmaster at Mil. 
July 16, 1855. He was Justice- 
of.the-peace in R for 4 years. 
House built in spring of 1883 
by Mr Reed. 70a. 

— Sarah Ann ( Petty ),b Dec 2 9,'39. 

'•'Regan, Mrs Mary, Ransom, R Sc; 
b in Ireland and came to this 
country about 185 5. Dau of 
Cornelius Hartnett. Married 
Daniel Regan who died July 25, 
1900. House built in 1870 by 
Daniel Regan. Seven children 
living. 2a. 

— Kate, dau, b in Ransom. 

Richards, H AVells, gen far. Ran- 
som, Rl, R Val Sc; b Mar 22, 
1881 in the house where now 
living. Mr Richards is a son 
of Jesse P and Margaret (Mar- 
shall) Richards of Pittston, and 
a grandson of Peter Richards. 
Mr Richards was mar Oct 18, 
19 05 to Miss Harriet E, dau of 
Theron and Miranda (Miller) 
Brown of Falls twp. Farm set 
by Peleg Comstock about 1770, 
when it was part of the farm 
now owned by Amos C Learn. 
It was later owned by John H 
Cunningham. In June, 1869 it 
was sold to P K Richards. A few 
years later it was purchased by 
Jesse P Richards, the present 
owner. House built by Jesse P 
Richards in 1880 and remodel- 
ed about 1900. 100a, Ic, 2h, 
2 mules, 4 6 sheep. 

— Harriet E, wife. 

•■•Richards, Jeptha C, gen far. Ran- 
som, Rl, R Sc; b in R Mar 30, 
1861. Farm set in 1853 by Wm 
L Ives, who bought the farm for 
the taxes, the whole tract con- 
taining 28 acres. About ten 
years later Mr Ives sold, and 
after being sold two or three 
times, it was pur in 18 67 by 
Abram Polhamus, who cleared 
and sowed 8 acres to wheat the 
first year. He built the house in 
18 68, and in the fall of the same 
year sold to Horace Lifts, who 
built the barn. About 1871,Jas 
Wilbur pur the farm, and about 
seventeen years later sold to 
John Maas, who sold it to the 
present owner in March, 1894. 
125a, 4c, 4h, 3 hogs. 

— Russell C, son, b Jan 25, 1S91. 

— James L, son, b Aug 10, 1892. 

— William N, son, b Aug 28, 1902. 

Newman, Mrs Mary L, mother-in- 
law, b April 19, 1834. 



DIRECTORY OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



245 



*Ivit'Iiar(ls, Osti'aiicler, far and frt 
grower, Ransom, R2, Mt Val Sc; 
b Mar 20, 1S36 in Newton twp, 
on the farm where B F Reed Is 
living; came to R in 187S. Pur- 
chased farm of Dennis Micliaels, 
April 2 9, 18 78. The farm is 
part of the tract settled 
about 1840 by Joseph Krouse, 
but now owned by Hor Court- 
right. The 2.5 acres owned by 
Mr Richards was sold to Dennis 
Michaels April 6, 1876, it being 
pur from .Jacob Bedell. House 
built in 1876 by Dennis Mich- 
aels. Farm is now worked by 
Mr. Richards' son, Leslie F. 2 5a, 
2c, 3h, 3 hogs. 

— Amelia M, wife, b Dec 15, 1843. 

— Leslie F, son b Aug 22, 1881. 

*Bichter, Clias F, tr far. Ransom, 
R2, R Val Sc; b Nov 17, 1878 in 
Germany; came to this country 
with his parents when about one 
year old. Came to R in Apr, 1 909 
Purchased farm March 1, 1911 
from Wentzel Maas estate. 
Farm settled in 18 41 by John 
Baumgardner and purchased in 
1846 by Conrad Maas. 129a. 
4c, 2h, 3 hogs. 

— Lizzie, wife, b Mar 10, 1877. 

— William C, son, b May 1, 189 8. 

— Sophie M, dau, b Sept 16, 1901. 

— Carl F, son, b May 31, 1904. 

— Leroy, son, b July 17, 1906. 

— Bertha H, dau, b June 27, 1911. 

Ricketts, Win AV, clerk at the Coal 
Storage Plant, Ransom, R Sc. 

Rifeiibary, Geo H, supt of the Ran- 
som Home, Ransom, R2, R Val 
Sc; b in Sussex co, N J; came 
to R April 1, 1897. 

— Eva (Bunnell), b in Meshoppen. 

Rizzo, John, fireman, Pittston, R 
Val Sc; b in Italy. 

— Mary, wife. 

Robinson, George M, far lab. Ran- 
som, R Val Sc; b Sept 25, 1862 
in Bradford co and came to R 
April ], 1911 and working for 
Louis Seibel of Pittston, the 
owner of the farm. Son of Eli- 
kam and Mary (Wandall) Rob- 
inson. Married July 4, 1883 to 
Miss Sarah, dau of John and 
Rhoda (Morey) Northrup of Me- 
hoopany. Three child'n. House 
built in 1868 by Sebastian Der- 
sheimer. 120a, 5c, 2h, 4 pigs. 

— Sarah M, wife, b July 19, 1863. 

— Pearl M, dau, b Mar 15, 1890. 

*Roeszlcr, John, gen far. Ransom, 
R2, R Val Sc; b Feb 24, 1844 
in R twp on the farm now own- 
ed by Victor S Krynisky. In 
April, the same year, his parents 
set on the farm where he is now 
living, when a log-house was 
built by his father, Chas Roesz- 
ler. About 1863 Chas Roeszler 
built the house where his son, 
John, is now living. Abt 1873 
John Roeszler built another 
house on the farm near tlie 
road. He was married Jan 6, 
18 67 to Miss Margaret Lore, who 
died April 1, 1905. 60a, Ic, 2h. 

— Andrew, son, b Jan 31, 1878. 

— John, son, b Nov 4, 1881, 



Rosenkrans, Emerson, lumberman. 
Ransom, R2, R Val Sc; b March 
9, 1875 in Newton twp; came 
to R about 1900. Son of Laten 
Rosenkrans. Married Nov 7, 
1894 to Miss Dora, dau of John 
and Margaret (Lore) Roesler. 
Living with John Roesler. 

— Dora, wife, b April 26, 1872. 

— Margaret M, dau, b Aug 6, 1895 

— Tresia, dau, b .June 18, 1897. 

— Mamie, dau, b Nov 11, 1899. 

— Elmer, son, b April 13, 19 04. 

— Laten, son, b Aug 15, 1906. 

— Emerson, son, b Mar 31, 1908. 

— Lester, son, b Nov 7, 19 09. 

— E valine Dorthie, dau, b May 3. 
1912. 

•■'Rosenkrans, Johnson, far. Ran- 
som, R2, Mil Sc; b in Newton 
twp Mar 2 2, 1855; came to R in 
1890. House built by Andrew 
Williams about 185 0. Farm set 
by James Williams. 5Sa, 4c, 2h. 

— Emma (Taylor), b Feb 13,1866. 

— Harriet, dau, b July 15, 1889. 

— Martha, dau, b July 15, 1889. 

— Agar, son, b Apr 2 4, 1895. 

^Norvison, son, b Dec 1, 1897. 

— Corinne, dau, b Mar 5, 190 4. 



Sanies, Charley, far and milk deal- 
er. Ransom, R2, R Val Sc; b 
Feb 14, 1876 at 1005 Cedar ave, 
Scranton ; came to R on the 
farm where now living Mar 29, 
'1 0. Farm owned by his mother, 
Mrs Frances Sanies, 414 Maple 
st, Scranton. Farm settled and 
house built abt 1844 by Philip 
Shallenberger, and about 1881 
it was pur by Andrew Landsie- 
del, and Dec 6, 1909 it was pur 
by Mrs Frances Sames. Mr 
Sames and his three brothers 
own the Maple Dairy in Scran- 
ton. 44a, Ic, 2h, 6 hogs. 

— Catherine A, wife, b Mar 9, '77. 

— Carl H, son, b Aug 31, 19 06. 

— Alfred A, son, b Aug 19, 1909. 

— Robert G, son, b May 21, 1911. 

*Schener Brothers Farm, Mt Dew 
Sc. Farm pur in 1890 from 
Ellis & Co for $1,700, by Geo, 
John, Jr, Henry, Philip and 
Peter Scheuer. They built the 
house the following year. The 
whole farm was then a wilder- 
ness. In 1905 they built "Sha- 
dy Side" cottage and a year lat- 
er "Sunny Side.'' The barn was 
erected about 1892. The farm 
is the summer home of the 
Scheuer Bros, who are the own- 
ers of the Pennsylvania Baking 
Co, located at 341-347 Brook st, 
Scranton and proprietors of 
Scheuer's Bread Bakery, corner 
Hemlock st and Pittston ave, 
Scranton. 6 8a, 2c, 4h. 

* Schmidt, Mrs EHzabeth, Luzerne 
st, Scranton, Mt Dew Sc; b Dec 
2 9, 187 in Pittston; came to R 
in 1897. Dau of Peter and Net- 
tie (Conrad) Coon. Married 
Sept 20, 1891 to Ferdinand, son 
of John Schmidt. Mrs Schmidt's 
husband and two little girls, 
aged 7 and 12 years, were burn- 



ed with the house and contents. 
Sept 9, 1906. Her oldest son 
died June 10, 1908. The first 
house was built in 1897 by Mr 
Schmidt, and the present house 
in 1906 by Mrs Schmidt. 4a. 

— Anna M, dau, b July 20, 1895. 

— Stephen F, son, b Oct 4, 1897. 

— Walter G, son, b Dec 9, 1902. 

— Julius H, son, b Jan 22, 1906. 

■-Sclimidt, Stephen, surveyor, 914 
Keyser ave, Scranton; b Dec 25, 
18 60 in Austria; came to this 
country into Taylor in October, 
1882, and to his present home 
Sept 12, 1889. First part of 
house built in 188 6 by Fred- 
erick Biere, and enlarged by 
present owner in 189 4, and 
porch added in 19 05. When Mr 
Schmidt moved here in 1889 
there was a log road to his 
home, and it was necessary to 
cut trees to make this road wid- 
er for the wagon. Mr Schmidt 
pur nearly 2 acres, but in '9 3, 
sold 10 acres to John Bartosch, 
being the place now owned by 
Charles Wroblisky. 10a, 2c, Ih, 
5 hogs. 

— Julia, wife, b May 17, 1867. 

— Frank C, son brick layer, b Sep 
30, 1888. 

— August F. son, carpenter, b Aug 
28, 1890. 

— Ernestine M, dau, garment w'kr, 
b April 9, 1892. 

— Paupline E, dau, garment w'kr, 
b May 28, 1894. 

— Mary L, dau, garment w'kr, b 
Mar 26, 1896. 

— Julia J, dau, b May 2, 1898. 

— William S, son, b Feb 12, 1906. 

— Arthur A, son, b Aug 28, 19 09. 

*Schultheis, Anthony, tr far. Ran. 
som, R2, Mil Sc; b Nov 22, 1853 
in Pittston; came to R with his 
parents in 1873. Farm settled 
and house built about 18 45 by 
Peter Hufford. 145a, 4c, 4h, 
2 hogs. 

— Elizabeth, dau, b Jan 12, 1887. 

— Frank, son, b Jan 6, 1889. 

— Catherine, dau, b July 11, 1891. 

— Charles A, son, b Aug 21, 1894. 

— Dorothy, mother, b Dec 16, '2 2. 

Serene, Umberto, sec lab. Ransom. 
R Sc; b in Italy and came to 
this country about 1910. 

— Maria, wife. 

— Jim, son. 

— Arbine. dau. 

*Setzer, Mrs Dorinda, Ransom, 
R Sc; b Mar 4, 1835 near Clarks 
Green; came to R about 18 69; 
dau of James and Olive (Hall) 
Ross. Mrs Setzer's first husband 
was Isaac Reed, who died sev- 
eral years ago. Her second hus- 
band was Ezra Setzer who died 
Dec 16, 19 07. House built abt 
1870 by the present owner. 3a. 

■'Sharps, Freeman B, Ransom, R 
Sc; b July 15, 1844 in W Pitts- 
ton; came to R the last time in 
1906. Son of Peter and Eliza- 
beth (Breese) Sharps. Married 
in Oct, 189 4 to Mrs Mary Ste- 
|)henson, dau of Wm Martin. 
House built about 1870 by John 



240, 



\)\\{]<:C'Ton.Y OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP 



Oyster. 2 1/2 a, Ih, 2 pigs. 

— Mary, wife, b October, 1851. 

•■■Sicklei-, Martin, miller, Ransom. 
R2, Mil Sc; b in Falls twp. Mar 
2 0, 1841; came to R April 1, 
189 7, and was married Sept 21, 
1863 to Miss Savannah Place of 
Falls twp, who died Feb 14, '03. 
Son of John. 10a, Ic, 2h. 

— Theresa, dau, b April 13, 1868. 

*Siiigei', Bei't W, tr far. Ransom, 
R2, Mil Sc; b in Newton, .Tan 31, 
1874; came to R in Dec, 1897. 
House built in 19 08 by present 
owner. 3 0a, 2c, Ih. 

— Mamie E (Stine), b Nov 18, '7 7. 

— Mary .J, dau, b Oct 24, 1901. 

— Charles S, son, b Oct 25, 1904. 

Smith, AValtcr E, pastor of the 
United Evangelical Church, Ran- 
som, R Sc; b ,Tuly 4, 188 2 in 
Hagerstown, Md; came to R In 
Mar, 1911. Son of Joseph and 
Margaret (Walls) Smith. Mar- 
ried Dec 3, 19 08 to Miss Stella, 
dau of John and Mary (Asper) 
Delp of Goodyear, Pa. Parson- 
age built about 1900, during the 
pastorate of Rev F F Mayer. 

— Stella, wife, b Aug 12, 1882. 

— Mildred E. dau, b April 16, '10. 

*Sniitli, Sirs Catherine, farmeress. 
Ransom, R2, R Val Sc; b Feb 
19, 18 45 in Newton and came to 
R in March, 18 66. House built 
about 1884 by Noah Smith. 75a. 
3c, 3h, 3 hogs. 

— Peter A, son, b July 4, 1878. 

— Jacob J, son, b Dec 7, 18S5. 

Stark, Isaac, sta engine fireman, 
Ransom, R Sc; b in Newton Aug 
28, 1863; came to R in Mai'ch, 
1900; son of Daniel and Noyma 
(Hoover) Stark. Married April 
13, 1886 to Miss Anna E, dau 
of Gailen and Mary (Berew) 
Haupt. House owned by M Bo- 
lin of Pittston, which was built 
by Richard Gardner, and where 
he died. This house was used 
for several years by the Evan- 
gelical Church society for ser- 
vices. 

— Anna E. wife, b May 24, 1870. 

— Clarence E, son, b Nov 18, 1895. 

— Alfred G, son, b Nov 23, 1900. 

— Blanche E, dau, b Dec 10, 1904. 

— Russell E, son, b July 11, 1910. 

•■'Stephens, John, miner, P O ad- 
dress, Scranton, Pa, care Conti- 
nental mine Office, Mt Dew Sc; 
b March 19, 185S in Cornwall, 
Eng; came to Canada in 1876 
and to this country three years 
later, and to R Oct 26, 1911. 
Land pur from Richard Strauch 
in 1909, and house built 1911 
by present owner. Son of Rich- 
ard and Mary (Penny) Stephens. 
Married April 2 3. 1881 to Miss 
Rachel, dau of John and Mary 
(Evans) Reynolds of Drifton, 
Luzerne co. Nine children liv- 
ing: John, b July 11, 1884 and 
mar Miss Margaret Reed. 10a. 

— Rachel, wife, b July 26, 18 62. 

— Mary, dau, b Dec 19, 1881. 

— Benjamin H, son, b Jan 2, 1889. 
Raymond, son b July 5, 1891. 

— William, son, b Sept 4, 1893. 



— Anna, dau, b Dec 18, 1895. 

— Reynold, son, b Apr 18, 1898. 

— Earl, son, b Sept 5, 1900. 

— Norvin, son, b May 25, 1906. 

Stewart, Hiley W, teamster, 2767 
Frink st, Scranton, Mt Dew Sc; 
b April 2 5, 1883 in Hyde Park; 
came to R in Oct, 19 07. House 
owned by Mrs Stewart's mother, 
Mrs Wm Bowen, and built by 
Mrs Henry Carter about 1900. 
Purchased by present owner in 
Aug, 1906 for |600. 1 1/2 acres. 

— Martha G, wife, b Oct 28, 188 4. 

— Willard L, son, b Jan 9, 1909. 

— Letitia. dau, b Mar 22, 1912. 

■'Stnie, Cha,s, tr far. Ransom R2, 
Mil Sc; b in house where now 
living Sept 17, 1880. House 
built in 1863 by Frederick 
Stine. grandfather of present 
owner. This place and the one 
where Tobias Stine lives were 
set before 1820 by Wm Brink, 
who sold to Abraham Stine, then 
to his son Frederick, then to 
his son Abraham, Jr, then to his 
son, the present owner. 5 3a 
2c, 2h. 

— Augusta ( Schultheis) , b Aug 19, 
188'"* 

— Mamie, dau, b Feb 29, 19 03. 

— Rosa, dau. b Mar 7, 1910. 

*Stine, Tobias, truck far, Ransom, 
R2. Mil Sc; b on the farm where 
C W Blackwell now lives, Oct 
30, 1838. Son of Frederick. 
House built in 1868 by iiresent 
owner. Part of farm set by Wm 
Brink sometime before 1820. 
50a, 2c, 2h. 

— Harriet (Carey), b Mar 16, '4 0. 

-Stoft, Mrs Adiliah, Ransom, Rl, 
R Sc; b in Germany Jan 3. '4 4; 
came to this country June 6, '68 
and to R April 1, 1SS4. Widow 
of Philip Stoft. Sr.who died Nov 
6, 1899. 105 acres; worked by 
her son, Philip. House built abt 
186 3 by John Smith. 

Stoft, Philip, tar. Ransom, Rl, R 
Sc; b in Pittston Feb 27, 1878; 
came to R with his parents in 
April, 1884. Son of Philip, Sr. 
Married Mar 8, 1905 to Miss El- 
sie, dau of Theodore Ace of R. 
Living on his mother's farm. 
10 5a, 3c, 2h, 10 sheep, 3 hogs. 

— Elsie (Ace), b Dec 15, 1872. 
Stout, Albert, lab. Ransom, R Sc; 
b in R Jan 21, 1875. Son of 
John. Living with his brother- 
in-law, Louis Engleman. 
— Wesley R, air brake inspector, 
b Sept 1, 1877. Son of John. 
Living with Louis Engleman. 

T 
-Taft, Wni J, car inspector for 

L V R R Co at the Coxton yard. 

Ransom, R Sc ; b in S Gibson. 

Pa, June 20, 1876; came to R in 

1898. 5a, Ic, Ih, 2 hogs. 
— Sarah R (Stout), b Aug 28, .'80 
— Martha M, dau, b Oct 13, 1901. 
— Mildred M, dau, b June 30,1903. 
— Freddie, son, b Nov 14, 19 05. 
— William R, son, b July 7, 1908. 
*Taylor, James, far. Ransom, R2, 

Mil Sc; b in Eng Oct 1, 1840; 



came to tliis country in 1S6S. 
Mar Miss Martha, dau of Daniel 
and Harriet (Jenkins) French, 
Farm set by James Williams, be- 
ing part of farm now owned by 
Johnson Rosenkrans. House 
built in 1909 by Geo Richard- 
son and Frank Sweet. James 
Taylor purchased farm in Feb, 
1910. 71a, 2c, 2h, 3 hogs. 

— Martha, wife, b Sept 3, 1843. 

— William, son, b Sept 19, 1870. 

— Richard, son, b July 2 6, 1875. 

Thompson, Frank 0, electrician. 
Ransom, R2, R Val Sc; b Sept 
3, 1872 in Newton. Mr Thomp- 
son owns a small farm in New- 
ton twp, but since Mar 27, 1906 
he has been employed by the L 
V Coal Co at their Storage Plant 
in Ransom. 

— Minnie W (Smith), b Mar 20, '76 

— William E, son, b Mar 22, 1902. 

— Alta F, dau, b Oct 19, 1909. 

Turner, Mrs Ijillie, clerk at J P 
VanOstrand's store. Ransom, R 
Sc; b in Pittston; came to R abt 
1875 with her parents, John B 
and Mary Ann (Jones) Crowell. 
Married Nov 13, 189 to George 
Turner who died July 20, 1900. 
House built about 1885 by John 
B Crowell, and is now owned by 
his estate. 

— Mary Elizabeth, dau b Nov 19, 
1891. 

— George C, son, b Oct 24, 1893. 

V 

Vollcer, Henry, far lab, 912 Keyser 
ave, Scranton; b Feb 11, 1861 
in Germany; came to this coun- 
try in 1883; moved to R Nov 4, 
1910. House owned by Nels 
Persson, 118 N Grant avenue, 
Scranton, who pur place from 
Henry Borgison in Jan, 1911. 
House built about 1897 by John 
Auer and remodeled and enlarg- 
ed in 1911 by present owner. 
Mr. Volker married Miss Mada- 
line Messner, Mar 3, 18 87. la. 

— Madaline, wife, b Oct 9, 1863. 

— Henry F, son, b .Tan 2, 1893. 

— Lillian, dau, b Feb 24, 1898. 

— Clara, dau, b Jan 9, 19 01. 

A^auderl)urg', Samuel, lab. Ransom. 
R Sc; b June 18, 1852 in Pitts- 
ton and came to R about 1SS2. 
Son of Samuel and Hannah Van- 
derburg. Married Mar 16, 188 2 
to Miss Minerva A, dau of Cor- 
ridon and Hettie (Rozelle) 
Barber of Ransom. Three chil- 
dren dead, namely: Jessie, John 
and Lizzie, and two living; Me- 
riam, b June 28, 188, married 
Bennie Stephens and living 
near Mehoopany; and Charles, 
living at home. House owned 
bv John Crowell est, and was 
built about 1845. Fred San- 
way kept a hotel in this build- 
ing for several years; then he 
sold to Jacob Bertels. 2 pigs. 

— Minerva A, wife, b Dec 31,1862. 

—Charles H, son, b Mar 13, 1890. 

'•■A'^anOstrand, James P, merchant. 
Ransom, R Sc; b June 22, 1877 
in W Danby, N Y; came to R 



W 97 ^ 



DIRECTORY OF RANSOjM TOWNSHIP 



247 



July 17, 1901. Son of Peter J 
and Luclnda (Davenport) yan 
Ostrand. Has conducted the 
store in R since 1904, being in 
partnership witli W W Ricl?etts 
for about four years; since .Jan 
2 7, 19 OS has run the business 
alone. Has been postmaster at 
R since Mar 7, 19 04. 2 horses. 

W 

Wallace, James W, pig and poul 
raiser, 910 S Keyser ave, Scran- 
ton, Mt Dew Sc; b Oct, 18.55 in 
England: came to tliis country 
Jan 3, 1869; to R Jan 3, 1910. 
He was married in IS 78 to Miss 
Jennie Webber, who died Dec 
25. 1905. Three sons, namely: 
William H,Ira W and Herold V. 
Prop belongs to Thos. Lewis. 
4a, Ih, 22 pigs, 12 hogs. 

••■Walter, James B, carpenter. Ran- 
som, R2, Mt Val Sc; b Oct 8, 
1857 in Smithfleld twp, Monroe 
co: came to R Mar 17, 1880. 
Farm settled by Robert Davis 
in 18.58, who built part of the 
house about 18 68, which was 
enlarged in 1908 by present 
owner. 19a, Ic, 2h, 5 hogs. 

— Lydia A (Davis), b June 10, '60. 

— Earl H, son, b Aug 9, 1893. 

— Ben.iamin F. son b Aug 31, '95. 

— Leah A, dau, b July 22, 1897. 

Walter, Lorey W, far lab. Ransom. 
R2, Mt Val Sc; b Aug 13, 1865 
in Overfield twp, Wyoming co; 
came to R in July, 1910, work- 
ing for P H Coon, Son of B 
E and Sarah (Cannon) Walter. 

*Wickizer, Aloiizo J, far and team, 
W Scranton, Mt Dew Sc; b June 
3, 1854 near Auburn 4 Corners; 
came to his present home with 
his parents in April, 1881. First 
house built by Wm Canterbury 
(father of Wm Canterbury, Jr 
of Mt Dew) about IS 69. Pres- 
ent home built about 1900 by 
Mr. Wickizer, who purchased 
farm in 1880. This farm is lo- 
cated on tlie old Newton Turn- 
pike, which was built in 1869 
from Scranton to Kern's Cor- 
ners in Newton twp, where P P 
Vosburg is living. The road 
was built by Plum Page, a con- 
tractor. A toUgate was located 
at the cor of Jackson st and 
Crisp ave; Jos. Mehlbaum was 
gatekeeper. Mr. Wickizer was 
married Dec 25, 1S8 to Miss 
Nettie Stewart, dau of Thomas 
and Abbie (McGowtey) Stewart. 
SOa, Ic, 2h , 2 mules. 

— Nettie, wife, b May 1, 1861. 

— Sadie, dau, b Aug 17, 1SS7. 

— Harry, son, b June 27, 1889. 

— John, son, b April 5, 1890. 

— Lulu, dau. b Sept 8, 1891. 

— Ruth, dau, b Sept 13, 1896 . 

— ^Bdith, dau. b April 11, 1901. 

— Helen, dau, b April 25, 19 02. 

*Williams, John M, tr far. Ran- 
som, R2, Mt Val Sc; b in Sussex 
CO, N J Aug 1, 1842; came to R 
in 1860; purchased his present 
home in the spring of '1876 of 
John Michaels est. Son of Mat- 



thew and Sarah (Bllot) Wil- 
liams. Married Mar 9, 1865 to 
Miss Emaline, dau of Jacob and 
Elizabeth (Walter) Ace of Mt 
Valley. Mr and Mrs Williams 
have three children living: Ida 
M, b Mar 17, 1869 and married 
Wm Ames and living in Hyde 
Park; Cora I, b Aug 5, 1871 and 
married Wentzel Maas,who died 
in Dec, 19 09. She is living in 
Taylor: Elizabeth, b Feb 2 3, '7 4 
and married John Richards and 
living in Ohio. Farm set about 
1842 by John Michaels. SOa. 
2c, 3h, 4 hogs. 

— Emeline, wife, b in Monroe co, 
Oct 30, 1S36. 

•■■Wilson, John, laborer. Ransom, 
R2, Mil Sc; b Oct 14, 1837 in 
R twp. Son of Charles. Mar- 
ried Deo 21, 1859 to Miss Mar_ 
garet Hartzel of Wilkes-Barre, 
who died in 1S72. Mr Wilson 
married again in Feb, 1S74 to 
Miss Emma Khuns of Milwau- 
kie, who died in Feb. 1875. Mr 
Wilson has one dau, Florence. 
She was married Nov 14. 1890 
to E W Davis of Milwaukie, whi 
died May 2 4, 1898. Mrs Davis 
and dau, Lydia W are living 
with Mr Wilson. House built in 

1879 by Mr Wilson. 11/2 a. 
Davis, Mrs Florence, dau, b July 

26, 1866. 

— Lydia W, dau, b Nov 21, 1894. 

*WiI,son, Mrs Catherine A, 914 S 
Keyser ave, Mt Dew Sc; b Mar 
3, 1845 in Newport twp, Lu- 
zerne co; came to Mil with her 
parents in 1860. House built 
in 1890 by lier husband, Jacob 
Wilson. 6 acres. 

Winters, Harry B, gen far. Ran- 
som, R2, Mil Sc: b April 12, 

1880 in house where now living. 
Son of Samuel J. Married June 
2 2, 1904 to Miss Nellie, dau of 
Christian and Dora (Faden- 
holtz ) Fahs of Newton. Living 
in part of his father's house 

— Nellie M, wife, b Dec 12, 1885. 

— Frank L, son, b May 14, 1905. 

— Ralph, son, b Jan 5, 1910. 

■■AVinters, Samuel J, far. Ransom, 
Rl, Mil Sc; b Dec 23, 1S43 in 
Newton twp: came to R in 1870. 
Son of Bainbrldge. Married 
July 6, 1867 to Miss Catherine 
Barrier, dau of Philip and Su- 
san (Dershiemer) Barrier, H'se 
built in 18 72 by present owner. 
Farm worked by his son, Harry 
B. 126a, 6c, 2h. 

— Catherine, wife, b Mar 22, 1847. 

•■■\\'intei-s, Sirs Margaret, Ransom, 
R2, Mil Sc; b May 9, 1S6S in 
R twp. Dau of David and Mar- 
tha (Bedell) Hopkins. Married 
Mar 22, 1900 to Frank Winters, 
who died Aug 20, 19 00. House 
built by Ezekiel Bennett about 
1850. 100a, Ih. 

*Witzal, John, mine lab. P O ad- 
dress. Scranton, Pa, care Conti- 
nental Mine Office, Mt Dew Sc; 
b April S, 1855 near Strouds- 
burg: came to Scranton in 1865 
and to R with his parents in 



May, 1877. Part of house built 
in 18 32 by a Mr Woolsey, who 
was the first settler on the east 
side of R twp, owning 160 acres. 
Woolsey owned the farm for abt 
twenty years and sold to Kirby 
Fellers. About 1880 it was sold 
at Sheriff's sale to Matthew Dale 
for $1600. The same year it 
was divided in three tracts, An- 
drew Witzal, 40 acres; Adam 
Rach, 6 acres and Geo Swit- 
clier, 6 acres. The lot now 
owned by John Witzal is part of 
the Adam Rach tract. Adam 
Shrack sold his 60 acres to Otto 
and Richard Strauch, Sept 22, 
1SS3, and Otto Strauch sold his 
])art to his brother, Richard, Feb 
14, 1888, and later it was divid- 
ed in smaller lots, and now own- 
ed by John Witzal, Thomas Ed- 
wards, Wm Canterbury, Harry 
Nicholas, Michael Krauss, Nets 
Persson, John Stephens. Rich- 
ard Strauch and others. John 
Witzal purchased five acres con- 
taining the house and barn, Nov 
8, 1892, and enlarged and re- 
modeled the house in 1906. 5a, 
Ic, lb, 2 hogs. 

—Margaret, wife, b Dec 11, 1851. 

*AVrol)lisky, Charles, mine laborer, 
Scranton, care Continental Mine 
Office, Mt Dew Sc: b in 1852 in 
Poland and came to this country 
about 1880. Land purchased 
in 1893 from Stephen Schmidt, 
by John Bartosch, who built 
house same year. Purchased by 
present owner in April, 19 05. 
10a, Ih. 

— Mary, wife, born in 18 49. 
Z 

-Zeiss, William, far, Ransom, R2, 
Mil Sc; b in Wilkes-Barre Jan 
18, 1851; came to R with his 
father, Christopher, in April, 
1852, who purchased the farm 
where Christopher Klipple is 
now living. 75a, Ic, lb. 

— Katherine (Freuhan), b Jan 2 2, 
1S56. 

— Elizabeth, dau. b July 29, 1875. 

— Christopher, son, b May 18, '83. 

■•■■Zeiss, Roy W, tr far. Ransom, R2, 
Mil Sc: b Dec 18, 1880 in Mil, 
where his father, Wm Zeiss, now 
lives. House built by Roy Zeiss 
in 19 07. Working his father's 
farm in partnership with his 
brother, Christopher, la, Ic, 2h. 

— Grace A (Biesecker), b Dec 31, 
18 8 3 

— Mary L, dau, b May 23, 1904. 

*Zllk, Henry, tr far. Ransom, R2, 
Mil Sc; b Oct IS, 1S60 near 
Cumberland. Md: came to R in 
189 4, when he purchased farm 
from Geo Chamberlain, built 
house and cleared the land. Mr 
Zilk was the first settler on the 
farm. 108a, 2c, 2h, 1 hog. 

— Sally, wife, b Sept 2 5, 1858. 

— Alice, dau, b June 24, 1SS7. 

— John, son, b June 19, 1889. 

— Elizabeth, dau, b Dec 4, 1893. 

— Jessie, dau, b Jan 30, 1896. 

— Harry, son, b Dec 28, 1898. 

— Helen, dau, b Jan 31, 19 02. 



DEC 30 1912 






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